Thomson TO16

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.

Thomson TO16
Also known asThomson TO16PC
ManufacturerThomson SA
Release date1987 (1987)
Introductory price9000 to 16000 FF
Operating systemMS-DOS 3.2
CPUIntel 8088 @ 4.77 or 9.54 MHz (turbo mode)
Memory512 KB expandable to 768 KB
Storage5"1/4 floppy discs
GraphicsMDA, Hercules, CGA and Plantronics Colorplus compatible graphic card
SoundPC Speaker
ConnectivityRS-232, printer port
Backward
compatibility		IBM PC
RelatedThomson TO16PCM, Thomson TO16XPDD, Thomson TO16XPHD

Prototype

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]
  • 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

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

Hardware versions

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
  1. "Ordinateur : Le Thomson TO16 XP HD". Association MO5.COM (in French). 2007.
  2. "Thomson - TO16 PC". system.cfg Collection d'ordinateurs anciens et de consoles de jeux (in French). 2018.
  3. "La gamme TO de Thomson" (PDF). Canard PC Hardware HS (in French) (6): 80. 2016.
  4. "Thomson TO16". Obsolete Tears (in French).
  5. 82716/VSDD Video Storage and Display Device. Intel. January 1987.
  6. "Thomson 16 bits". forum.system-cfg.com Forum des collectionneurs et utilisateurs d'ordinateurs anciens (in French). 2011.
  7. "Thomson TO16 (prototype)", Wikipédia (in French), 2018-12-27, retrieved 2023-02-19
  8. "Hebdo Septembre 1986". forum.system-cfg.com (in French). 1986.
  9. Gamme TO16 Thomson - Manuel de Maintenance (in French). Cofadel. 1988.
  10. "Ordinateur : Le Thomson TO16 XP DD". Association MO5.COM (in French). 2007.


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