Thomson MO6

The Thomson MO6 was a Motorola 6809E-based computer introduced in France in 1986.^[2][3] It was intended as the successor to the Thomson MO5^[4] and featured 128 KB of RAM, a 40 × 25 text display, and a new built-in Microsoft BASIC interpreter (BASIC 128^[5]). It retained compatibility with its predecessor, while incorporating the same technology as the TO8.^[6]

Thomson MO6

Thomson MO6
Also known as	Olivetti Prodest PC128
Manufacturer	Thomson SA
Release date	1986; 38 years ago (1986)
Discontinued	1989; 35 years ago (1989)
Media	Audio cassette
Operating system	BASIC 128 and Basic 1.0[1]
CPU	Motorola 6809E @ 1MHz
Memory	64 KB ROM, 128 KB RAM[1]
Storage	Audio cassette (1200/2400 bauds), disk drive (optional)[1]
Display	8 modes from 160 × 200 to 640 × 200 with 2 to 16 colors (from 4096)
Graphics	Thomson EF9369
Sound	4 channels, 7 octaves
Input	69 keys mechanical AZERTY keyboard, light pen[1]
Controller input	Joystick, Mouse [1]
Power	200V, 24W
Dimensions	362 x 87 x 315 mm
Mass	3 kg
Backward compatibility	Thomson MO5[1]
Predecessor	Thomson MO5

Graphic abilities were expanded compared to the MO5, by the use of the Thomson EF9369 graphics chip. The 16 colour palette could be defined from a total of 4096^[5] colours and extra video modes were available:^[5]

• 160 × 200 × 5 colours with 3 transparency levels
• 160 × 200 × 16 colours
• 320 × 200 × 2 colours (allows shifting between two screen pages)
• 320 × 200 × 3 colours and one transparency level
• 320 × 200 × 4 colours
• 320 × 200 × 16 colours (2 colours per 8 × 1 pixels restraint)
• 640 × 200 × 2 colours

In Italy it was sold by Olivetti with minor aesthetic changes, and named Olivetti Prodest PC128. Twenty-one games were released for the MO6.^[7][8] The machine was available until January 1989.

References

1. "Thomson". Tilt - Jeux et Micro Guide 1989. No. 60. December 1988. pp. 123–124.
2. "Thomson MO6". www.old-computers.com.
3. "THOMSON JOUE LES LAPINS" (PDF). Hebdogiciel Magazine (150): 1. August 29, 1986.
4. Garret, Yann (September 1986). "Thomson présente sa nouvelle gamma". Science & Vie Micro. No. 31. p. 107. ISSN 0760-6516.
5. Thomson MO6 Guide (PDF). Thomson/SIMIV. 1986.
6. Miné, Antoine. "Thomson MO6 Emulation in MESS". Antoine Miné's Web Site.
7. "Thomson MO6 video games (Hardware entity)". Universal Videogame List. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
8. "Listing of all Thomson MO6 games - Page 1". The Video Games Museum. Retrieved 2023-01-01.

External links

• DCMOTO: PC emulator for Thomson MO5, MO5E, MO5NR, MO6, T9000, TO7, TO7/70, TO8, TO8D, TO9, TO9+ and Olivetti Prodest PC128. Comprehensive software and documentation are also available.