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]
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 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.