Thomson TO7/70
1984 French computer model
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The Thomson TO7/70, is an upgraded version of the Thomson TO7, released in 1984[1] with an introductory price of 3590 FF.[2] It was used as an educational tool in French schools under the Computing for All plan, where the TO7/70 could be used as a "nano-machine" terminal for the "Nanoréseau" educational network.[1]
| |
| Developer | Thomson SA |
|---|---|
| Type | Home computer |
| Generation | 8-bit |
| Released | France: 1984 |
| Introductory price | 3590 FF |
| Media | Cassette tape, MEMO7 cartridges |
| Operating system | Basic 1.0 (in cartridge) |
| CPU | Motorola 6809E @ 1 MHz |
| Memory | 64 KB RAM |
| Display | 320 × 200, 16 colours |
| Graphics | Motorola MCA1300 gate array |
| Predecessor | Thomson TO7 |
| Successor | Thomson TO8, Thomson TO9, Thomson TO9+ |
Among improvements, RAM was increased to 64 KB ("70" on the version name stands for 70 KB of memory: 64 KB RAM + 6 KB ROM),[3] the 6809 processor was replaced by a Motorola 6809E, and the colour palette was extended from 8 to 16 colours.[4]
Graphics were similar to the Thomson MO5[5] and generated by a Motorola MCA1300 gate array[6] capable of 40×25 text display and a resolution of 320 × 200 pixels with 16 colours (limited by 8 × 1 pixel colour attribute areas).[7][8] The colour palette is 4-bit RGBI, with 8 basic RGB colours and a intensity bit (called P for "Pastel") that controlled saturation ("saturated" or "pastel").[9][10]
Software developed for the TO-7 can be run on the TO-7/70, but the reverse is not possible.[1] At least three games were released for the TO7/70.[11]
See also
- Computing for All, a French government plan to introduce computers to the country's pupils