Thomson TO16
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| Also known as | Thomson TO16PC |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Thomson SA |
| Release date | 1987 |
| Introductory price | 9000 to 16000 FF |
| Operating system | MS-DOS 3.2 |
| CPU | Intel 8088 @ 4.77 or 9.54 MHz (turbo mode) |
| Memory | 512 KB expandable to 768 KB |
| Storage | 5"1/4 floppy discs |
| Graphics | MDA, Hercules, CGA and Plantronics Colorplus compatible graphic card |
| Sound | PC Speaker |
| Connectivity | RS-232, printer port |
| Backward compatibility | IBM PC |
| Related | Thomson TO16PCM, Thomson TO16XPDD, Thomson TO16XPHD |
The Thomson TO16 or Thomson TO16PC is a PC compatible[1] personal computer introduced by French company Thomson SA in 1987,[2][3] with prices ranging from 9000 to 16000 FF[4] depending on the version.
Prototype[edit]
The original concept was a machine similar to the Macintosh. Based on this the Thomson TO16 prototype (codename Théodore) was built around a Motorola 68000 processor with an Intel 82716 graphics chipset.[5] The operating system chosen was OS-9,[1] a preemptive multitasking system similar to Unix. It also featured an integrated 20MB SCSI hard drive.
Work on the prototype was carried on between 1985 and 1988, with five machines built.[6][7] This concept was abandoned in favor of a PC compatible architecture, with the TO16 model designation being kept.[7]
Specifications [8][edit]
- Motorola 68000 @ 8Mhz CPU
- 2 MB RAM
- Two video modes: 320x200 with 256 colors; 640x270 with 16 colors
- Mouse
- 3"1/2 floppy drive
- 20 MB SCSI hard drive
Thomson TO16[edit]
The Thomson TO16 is a IBM PC compatible machine,[1] running MS-DOS 3.2 with MS-DOS Manager and GW-BASIC.[4][9] The CPU is an Intel 8088 capable of running at 9.54Mhz on turbo mode with 512KB of RAM and a CGA graphic card with expanded abilities.[1]
Specifications[edit]
- CPU Intel 8088 running at 4.77 or 9.54 MHz
- support for Intel 8087 co-processor
- 512 KB of RAM, expandable to 768 KB on the motherboard.
- 32 KB of ROM
- IBM Monochrome Display Adapter, Hercules Graphics Card, CGA and Plantronics Colorplus compatible graphic card[1]
- Internal 5"1/4 360 KB disc drive
- Two ISA expansion slots
- Connections for an external disk drive
- RS-232C Serie and Centronics Parallel (Micro ribbon connector) interfaces
- Optional Modem
Hardware versions[edit]
The original TO16 model was expanded into four variations by adding extra hardware, such as a modem or hard drive.[4]
- Thomson TO16PC: original and most basic version
- Thomson TO16PCM : 2400 bauds modem
- Thomson TO16XPDD : two disc drives[10]
- Thomson TO16XPHD : 20 MB hard drive, color monitor and EGA graphics[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f "Ordinateur : Le Thomson TO16 XP HD". Association MO5.COM (in French). 2007.
- ^ "Thomson - TO16 PC". system.cfg Collection d'ordinateurs anciens et de consoles de jeux (in French). 2018.
- ^ "La gamme TO de Thomson" (PDF). Canard PC Hardware HS (in French) (6): 80. 2016.
- ^ a b c "Thomson TO16". Obsolete Tears (in French).
- ^ 82716/VSDD Video Storage and Display Device. Intel. January 1987.
- ^ "Thomson 16 bits". forum.system-cfg.com Forum des collectionneurs et utilisateurs d'ordinateurs anciens (in French). 2011.
- ^ a b "Thomson TO16 (prototype)", Wikipédia (in French), 2018-12-27, retrieved 2023-02-19
- ^ "Hebdo Septembre 1986". forum.system-cfg.com (in French). 1986.
- ^ Gamme TO16 Thomson - Manuel de Maintenance (in French). Cofadel. 1988.
- ^ "Ordinateur : Le Thomson TO16 XP DD". Association MO5.COM (in French). 2007.
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