Thomson TO7/70

Thomson TO7/70
DeveloperThomson SA
TypeHome computer
Generation8-bit
Release dateFrance: 1984 (1984)
Introductory price3590 FF
MediaCassette tape, MEMO7 cartridges
Operating systemBasic 1.0 (in cartridge)
CPUMotorola 6809E @ 1 MHz
Memory64 KB RAM
Display320 × 200, 16 colours
GraphicsMotorola MCA1300 gate array
PredecessorThomson TO7
SuccessorThomson TO8, Thomson TO9, Thomson TO9+

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]

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

References

  1. ^ a b c "Thomson TO7/70". old-computers.com. Archived from the original on 2023-10-02.
  2. ^ "Thomson TO7/70". Obsolete Tears. Retrieved 2022-12-21.
  3. ^ Le Guide du TO7-70 (PDF). Cedic. 1985. p. 32. ISBN 2-7124-0593-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-04-07.
  4. ^ Miné, Antoine. "Thomson TO7/70 Emulation in MESS". Antoine Miné's Web Site.
  5. ^ LIÈVRE, CLÉMENT; CARRÉ, JEAN-PAUL (March 1986). "Graphicomanies: A l'écran des Thomson / Graphisme Économique" (PDF). Microton. No. 5. pp. 12–18.
  6. ^ Coulom, Daniel (2025). "TO7-70 Circuit Diagram". Emulateur Thomson DCMOTO.
  7. ^ "Thomson MO5". old-computers.com. Archived from the original on 2023-02-05.
  8. ^ "documentations:hardware:mo5 [DON'T PANIC]". Demomaker's guide to Thomson computers.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "documentations:devices:gate.arrays [DON'T PANIC]". Demomaker's guide to Thomson computers.
  11. ^ "Thomson TO7/70 video games". Universal Videogame List. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
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