Thomson TO7
1982 French computer model
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Thomson TO7, also called Thomson 9000[1] is a home computer introduced by Thomson SA in November 1982,[2] with an original retail price of 3750 FF.[3] By 1983 over 40000 units were produced.[3] About 84 games were released for the TO7.[4][5]
Thomson TO7 computer | |
| Developer | Thomson SA |
|---|---|
| Type | Home computer |
| Generation | 8-bit |
| Released | France: 1 December 1982 |
| Lifespan | 1982-1984 |
| Introductory price | 3750 FF |
| Discontinued | May 1984 |
| Units sold | More than 40000 produced |
| Media | Cassette tape, MEMO7 cartridges |
| Operating system | Basic 1.0 (in cartridge) |
| CPU | Motorola 6809 @ 1 MHz |
| Memory | 22 KB RAM, 4KB ROM, 16KB cartridges |
| Display | 320 x 200, 8 colours (2 colour constraint for each 8x1 pixels) |
| Successor | Thomson TO7/70 |
The TO7 is built around a 1 MHz Motorola 6809 processor. ROM cartridges, designed as MEMO7, can be introduced through a memory bay. The user interface uses Microsoft BASIC, included in the kit cartridge. The keyboard features a plastic membrane, and further user input is obtained through a lightpen. Cooling is provided by a rear radiator. A standard television can serve as a monitor using a RGB SCART (Peritel) connector, with a resolution of 320x200 (with 2 colors for each 8 x 1 pixels).
The TO7 prototype, called Thomson T9000, was developed in 1980. The differences regarding the production model are a different startup menu and buggier BIOS.[6]
An updated version with more memory capacity, the Thomson TO7/70, was released in 1984.[7][8]
Specifications
The Thomson TO7 runs on a Motorola 6809 processor clocked at 1 MHz and features 22 KB of RAM (8 KB for the user, 8 KB used as video memory and 8K x 6 bits color memory) and 20KB of ROM (4KB for the monitor and 16KB on MEMO7 cartridges).[9]
As common on home computers designed to be connected to an ordinary TV screen, the 320 x 200 pixels active area doesn't cover the entire screen, and is surrounded by a border.[10] Graphics were limited to a 3-bit RGB hardware palette (8 colours generated by combination of RGB primaries) with proximity constraints (2 colors for each 8 x 1 pixel area).[9][2] The video output is RGB on a SCART connector, with the refresh rate being 625-line compatible 50Hz.[9]
Audio featured a single channel sound generator with five octaves. A "game expansion" was capable of four channel, six octaves sound.[1]
The keyboard has 58 keys and includes arrow keys.[1]
Besides cartridges, the machine used cassette tapes for file storage.[1]
See also
- Computing for All, a French government plan to introduce computers to the country's pupils
- Thomson TO7/70
