Developer | Thomson SA |
---|---|
Type | Home computer |
Generation | 8-bit |
Release date | 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 (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) |
Graphics | Motorola MCA1300 gate array on TO7/70[1] |
Successor | Thomson TO8, Thomson TO9 |
The Thomson TO7, also called Thomson 9000[2] is a home computer introduced by Thomson SA in November 1982,[3] with an original retail price of 3750 FF.[4] By 1983 over 40000 units were produced.[4] About 84 games were released for the TO7.[5][6]
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.[7]