Thomson TO8
![]() Thomson TO8D | |
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.
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Bibliography[edit]
- Garret, Yann (Sep 1986). "MO6, TO8, TO9+. Thomson présente sa nouvelle gamme". Science & Vie Micro (in French). No. 31. pp. 106–107. ISSN 0760-6516.
References[edit]
- ^ Garret, Yann (September 1986). "Thomson présente sá nouvelle gamme". Science & Vie Micro (in French). No. 31. pp. 106–107. ISSN 0760-6516.
- ^ "THOMSON TO 8 - TO 8D". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum.
- ^ a b "THOMSON JOUE LES LAPINS" (PDF). Hebdogiciel Magazine (in French) (150). August 29, 1986.
- ^ Miné, Antoine. "Thomson TO8 Emulation in MESS". Antoine Miné's Web Site.
- ^ "La nouvelle gamme Thomson" (PDF). Jeux & Stratégie (in French) (41): 42. October 1986.
- ^ "La gamme TO de Thomson" (PDF). Canard PC Hardware HS (in French) (HS 6): 80. 2016.
- ^ a b Coulom, Daniel. "TO8D Circuit Diagram". DCMOTO - Site de référence des ordinateurs 8 bits Thomson (in French).
- ^ a b EF9369 Single Chip Color Palette. Thomson Componentes.
- ^ Alexis AMAND, Alexis (2022). "Retrogaming et (re)découverte du Thomson TO8". Alexis AMAND - Développement Web et SEO (in French). Retrieved 2022-12-21.
- ^ "Thomson TO8 video games". Universal Videogame List. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
- ^ "Listing of all Thomson TO8 games". The Video Games Museum. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
External links[edit]
- Thomson TO8/O8D at Old-Computers.com
- (in French) Émulation du Thomson TO8 sous MESS, site of Antoine Miné