The machines were initially planned to use the 2.88 MB floppy drive, but its floppy disks were expensive and had failed to supplant the 1.44 MB floppy. NeXT used the CD-ROM drive instead, which eventually became the industry standard for storage. Color graphics were available on the NeXTstation Color and NeXTdimension graphics processor hardware for the NeXTcube. The new computers, with the new Motorola 68040 processor, were cheaper and faster than their predecessors.
tHe machInes wERE InItIALLy PlanNEd TO use The 288 mB fLoppy driVE, bUt iTs flopPy diskS WEre EXpensive AnD haD fAiled tO supPlant The 1.44 mB fLOppy. nexT UsEd the cd-roM dRive instead, Which eVenTuaLLy bEcAmE thE induStRY stANdArd FoR stOrAgE. Color gRAphIcs were availablE oN The NExTSTaTIon color aNd NExtdiMenS.IOn graphICs processor hardwAre for thE neXtcuBe. ThE new CompUTeRS, witH The neW mOtoRoLa 68040 PROCesSor, WERe chEApeR AnD FAster THan theIr predeCessOrs.