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Thomson TO7

The Thomson TO7, also called Thomson 9000 is a home computer introduced by Thomson SA in November 1982, with an original retail price of 3750 FF. By 1983 over 40000 units were produced. About 84 games were released for the TO7.

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Thomson TO7
Thomson TO7 computer
DeveloperThomson SA
TypeHome computer
Generation8-bit
ReleasedFrance: 1 December 1982 (1982-12-01)
Lifespan1982–1984
Introductory price
3750 FF
DiscontinuedMay 1984
Units soldMore than 40000 produced
MediaCassette tape, MEMO7 cartridges
Basic 1.0 (in cartridge)
CPUMotorola 6809 @ 1 MHz
Memory22 KB RAM, 4KB ROM, 16KB cartridges
Display320 × 200, 8 colours (2 colour constraint for each 8×1 pixels)
SuccessorThomson TO7/70
Thomson TO7 with monitor, on display at the Musée Bolo source ↗

The Thomson TO7, also called Thomson 90001 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 TO7.45

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 320×200 (with 2 colours for each 8×1 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 1984.78

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 × 6 bits colour 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 × 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 colours for each 8×1 pixel area).92 The video output is RGB on a SCART connector, with the refresh rate being 625-line compatible 50 Hz.9

Audio featured a single channel sound generator with five octaves. A "game expansion" was capable of four channel, six-octave 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

See also

References

References

  1. "Thomson TO7". old-computers.com.
  2. Miné, Antoine. "Thomson TO7 Emulation in MESS". Antoine Miné's Web Site.
  3. "Thomson TO7". Obsolete Tears. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
  4. "Thomson TO7 video games". Universal Videogame List. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  5. "Listing of all Thomson TO7 games". The Video Games Museum. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
  6. Miné, Antoine. "Thomson T9000 Emulation in MESS". Antoine Miné's Web Site.
  7. "Thomson TO7/70". old-computers.com. Archived from the original on 2023-10-02.
  8. "Thomson TO7/70". Obsolete Tears. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
  9. Oury, Michel (1984). Manuel Technique du TO7 et TO7-70 (PDF). Cedic.
  10. Oury, Michel (1985). Manuel Technique du MO5 (PDF). Cedic. p. 10. ISBN 2-7124-0552-8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-10-18.