Thomson TO7

The Thomson TO7 is a home computer developed and manufactured by the French company Thomson.

1. Development and Introduction: The Thomson TO7 was introduced in 1982 as part of the TO (Thomson Office) series of computers. It was designed to be an affordable home computer for educational purposes and general use. The TO7 was part of a broader effort by the French government to promote the use of computers in schools and homes.

2. Hardware: The Thomson TO7 featured a 1.1 MHz Motorola 6809E CPU and had 48 KB of RAM. It supported a monochrome display with a resolution of 320x200 pixels and could display up to eight colors. The TO7 had built-in support for connecting to a television set as a display and used cassette tapes for data storage. It also had a cartridge slot for additional software and expansion options.

3. Software and Applications: The Thomson TO7 came with a built-in version of the BASIC programming language, allowing users to write and run their own programs. It also included a range of software applications, including word processing, spreadsheet, and educational programs. Thomson developed and published a variety of software titles for the TO7, covering a wide range of interests and ages.

4. Reception and Sales: The Thomson TO7 was well-received in France, particularly in the education sector, where it was used in schools to teach computer science and programming. It was one of the most popular home computers in France during the early to mid-1980s. However, it faced stiff competition from other home computers of the era, such as the Commodore 64 and Sinclair ZX Spectrum, which had larger game libraries and more advanced features.

5. Legacy: The Thomson TO7 holds a special place in the history of computing in France. It introduced many people to the world of personal computing and played a role in promoting digital literacy and computer skills. Despite its relatively short lifespan, the TO7 remains a nostalgic piece of computing history for many French enthusiasts.

6. Discontinuation: Thomson discontinued the TO7 series in the late 1980s as they shifted their focus to other products and markets. However, the legacy of the TO7 lives on in the memories of those who used it and in the history of computing in France.

In summary, the Thomson TO7 was an important home computer that helped popularize personal computing in France during the 1980s. It was designed to be affordable and accessible for educational and home use, and it left a lasting impact on the French computing landscape.