Manufacturer | Thomson SA |
---|---|
Release date | 1986 |
Introductory price | 2,990 FF |
Discontinued | 1989 |
Operating system | Basic 512, Basic 1.0 and Disk Basic |
CPU | Motorola 6809E, 1 MHz |
Memory | 256 KB (512 KB max.) RAM 80 KB ROM |
Storage | Disk drive, tape (optional) |
Display | 160 x 200 (16 or 5 colors) 320 x 200 (2, 3, 4 or 16 colors) 640 x 200 (2 colors) |
Graphics | Thomson EF9369 |
Sound | generator + 1 bit D/A converter 6 bits |
Input | 81 keys AZERTY keyboard, light pen |
Controller input | joystick, mouse |
Backward compatibility | Thomson TO7/70 |
Predecessor | Thomson TO7/70 |
Successor | Thomson TO9+ |
The Thomson TO8 is a home computer introduced by French company Thomson SA in 1986, with a cost of 2,990 FF. [1] [2] [3] It replaces its predecessor, the Thomson TO7/70, while remaining essentially compatible. [4] [3]
The new features of the TO8, like larger memory (256KB) and better graphics modes (powered by the Thomson EF9369 graphics chip), are shared with the other third generation Thomson computers (MO6 and TO9+). [5] [6] [7] [8]
The TO8 has a tape drive and Microsoft BASIC 1.0 (in standard and 512 KB versions) [9] on its internal ROM, and there is an optional external floppy drive. Graphics were provided by the Thomson EF9369 chip, allowing the display of 16 colors from a palette of 4096. [7] [8]
More than 120 games exist for the system. [10] [11]
An improved version, the Thomson TO8D, includes a built-in 3.5" floppy drive.
Atari ST is a line of personal computers from Atari Corporation and the successor to the company's 8-bit home computers. The initial model, the Atari 520ST, had limited release in April–June 1985, and was widely available in July. It was the first personal computer with a bitmapped color graphical user interface, using a version of Digital Research's GEM interface / operating system from February 1985.
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The ThomsonMO6 was a Motorola 6809E-based computer introduced in France in 1986. It was intended as the successor to the Thomson MO5 and featured 128 KB of RAM, a 40 × 25 text display, and a new built-in Microsoft BASIC interpreter. It retained compatibility with its predecessor, while incorporating the same technology as the TO8.
In the 1980s the French Thomson company produced a range of 8-bit computers based on the 6809E CPU.
BASIC 1.0 is the standard BASIC language for Thomson computers, which is the reference for the entire range. This is an implementation of Microsoft BASIC (BASIC-69). It was used to introduce children from France to programming in the 1980s. Three languages were mainly taught: LSE, BASIC and LOGO. School textbooks programs were given in BASIC 1.0 for Thomson and sometimes in ExelBasic for the Exelvision EXL 100.
The Thomson TO9 is a home computer introduced by French company Thomson SA in 1985.
The Thomson TO9+ is a home computer introduced by French company Thomson SA in 1986. It kept the professional look of the Thomson TO9 by using a separate keyboard.
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