--- title: Canon Object.Station categories: - Computers types: - Professional Computer origins: - Japan years: - '1994' cpus: - Intel 486DX4 params: name: Object.Station image: /media/museum/photos/canon_objectstation_system_s1.jpg company: /companies/canon company_name: Canon specs: - label: NAME value: Object.Station - label: MANUFACTURER value: Canon - label: TYPE value: Professional Computer - label: ORIGIN value: Japan - label: YEAR value: '1994' - label: END OF PRODUCTION value: '1995' - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE value: None - label: KEYBOARD value: Canon keyboard with NeXT-specific keycaps - label: CPU value: Intel 486DX4/100 - label: SPEED value: 100MHz - label: RAM value: 16 MB (up to 96 MB) - label: VRAM value: 2MB - label: TEXT MODES value: Bit-mapped characters - label: GRAPHIC MODES value: Max 1280x1024 - label: COLORS value: 16bit - label: SOUND value: Soundblaster compatible - label: I/O PORTS value: Fast-SCSI-2, Ethernet, parallel, serial, keyboard mouse, video, microphone, headphone, stereo out - label: BUILT IN MEDIA value: 500 MB HDD, CD-ROM, 3,5 - label: OS value: NEXSTEP, Openstep, Windows NT - label: POWER SUPPLY value: 95-130V or 180-270V, 180W - label: PRICE value: \~$4000 tabs: - links forum_thread: 1123 links: - title: Object.station complete specifications url: http://www.geocities.com/next_infopage/pdf/canon.pdf text: .pdf file oc_id: 1153 source: url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230605040513/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=1153 date: '2023-06-05' --- After NeXT abandoned the hardware business,Canon (who had a large investment in NeXT) bought the licence and started producing the successor to the NeXTstation. The Object Station was an Intel-based PC specifically adapted to run the NEXTSTEP O/S. There were two versions available, the 31 and the 41, with IDE & SCSI being the main difference. There are also specs for a Pentium-based 51 but it remains unclear whether it actually came to market. The computer could also run Windows and other PC operating systems. It came with a keyboard, that had the NeXT-specific keys found on NeXT keyboards and accompanied by a 17" or 21" monitor (made by Hitachi). NEXTSTEP 3.3 O/S was pre-installed. The Object Station did not sell very well (possibly due to marketing and Canon having other plans than being a PC manufacturer) and thus was very short lived, making it a very hard to find item.
We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.