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.
| 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 |
| Successor | Thomson TO8, Thomson TO9 |
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.