---
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
  links:
  - title: Object.station complete specifications
    url: http://www.geocities.com/next_infopage/pdf/canon.pdf
    text: .pdf file
  comments:
  - author: Falkon215 (Milwaukee)
    date: Saturday 11th February 2017
    text: Still have a number of old computer and game systems,Apple IIc,Apple IIe,atari 2600,pong systems,Intellivision,nintendo.Love messing with old systems.had a Canon Objectstation computer with windows 3.0 it was my first dive into ibm/windows based systems.
  - author: declan donohue (england)
    date: Monday 7th April 2008
    text: i really like this machine and it was my first proper computer. i kept the pre-installed os on it for a year and then upgraded it to 95 later on. a great pc for the ninties it does canon proud.
  - author: jon (alabama)
    date: Sunday 3rd December 2006
    text: the last real looking computer of the 90's :(
  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.

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>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.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>