In 1988, after leaving Apple, Steve Jobs founded NeXT, where he experienced newfound freedom from corporate limitations. This liberation allowed him to explore both his most innovative ideas and less favorable traits, showcasing a mix of brilliance and flaws. His time at NeXT was a period of intense creativity as he sought to create sophisticated computer systems that appealed to the higher education and business sectors.

Jobs' entrepreneurial journey with NeXT is marked by significant ambition and a willingness to take risks. This chapter of his life, as detailed by Walter Isaacson, highlights the duality of his character, pushing boundaries while also grappling with the challenges of perfectionism and market acceptance. Ultimately, NeXT's developments laid important groundwork for future innovations in technology.