Toshiba Pasopia 7
Also known asPA7007
TypeHome computer
Release date1983 (1983)
Introductory price$1350
Operating systemT-BASIC7, CP/M optional
CPUZilog Z80A
Memory64 KB RAM
48 KB VRAM
Graphics320 x 200 / 640 x 200
SoundTexas Instruments SN76489, 6 voices, 5 octaves
PredecessorToshiba Pasopia
RelatedPasopia 700, Toshiba Pasopia 5

Toshiba Pasopia 7 (also known as PA7007) is a computer from manufacturer Toshiba, released in 1983 and only available in Japan, with a price of $1350.[1][2][3][4][5]

It was intended as the successor of the Toshiba Pasopia, offering improved sound and graphics. The machine is partially compatible with the original Pasopia, and supports connecting cartridge-type peripherals.

Graphic memory is increased to 48 KB and two SN76489 sound chips are available, producing six five-octave channels and two noise channels.[6]

A new version of the operating system, T-BASIC7, is also available.[7] This version is based on Microsoft BASIC and adds specific commands for this model, such as higher numerical precision or support for extra colors.

Available peripherals for the Pasopia 7 are a 5" disk drive, a Chinese characters ROM, a RS-232 interface and a printer. The keyboard is full-stroke JIS standard, with a separate numeric keypad and some function keys.[8][6]

After 1988, some Pasopia 7 computers were donated to other countries (ex: Poland) under the "International Development of Computer Education Program".[4][5]

Released in 1985, the Pasopia 700[9] is based on the Pasopia 7, and was intended as a home learning system developed by Toshiba and Obunsha. Two disk-drives were added to the side of the main unit and the keyboard is separate. This machine has two cartridge slots (one at the front).

Color palette

The Pasopia 7 uses hardware dithering to simulate intermediate color intensities, based on a mix of two of eight base RGB colors displayed using the 640 x 200 resolution. This allows the machine to display a maximum of 27 colors (3-level RGB).[7]

Pasopia 7 hardware palette - 27 colors, 3-level RGB
0x00 0x01 0x02 0x03 0x04 0x05 0x06 0x07 0x08
0x09 0x0A 0x0B 0x0C 0x0D 0x0E 0x0F 0x10 0x11
0x12 0x13 0x14 0x15 0x16 0x17 0x18 0x19 0x1A

The 8 base colors are displayed in bold.

Actual color limits depend on the graphic mode used:[7]

  • Text mode: characters in 8 base colors, graphics in 4 colors (from 27);
  • Fine graphics mode: kanji characters in 8 base colors, graphics in 8 colors (from 27);
  • Palette function: 8 or 4 colors (from 27) depending on the overlap of kanjis and graphics;
  • Hardware tiling function: 27 colors can be displayed by combining 2 pixels, with 8 base colors available per pixel.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lemmons, Phil (September 1983). "Update on Personal Computing in Japan". Byte. p. 254.
  2. ↑ "Toshiba Pasopia 7". System.cfg : Un site tout en images, entièrement dédié à la mémoire de nos anciens jouets. 2018.
  3. ↑ "Toshiba Pasopia 7". Vintage CPU. 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  4. 1 2 "Toshiba Pasopia 7". silicium.org. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  5. 1 2 "Personal Computers TOSHIBA". KCG Computer Museum (Satellite of the Historical Computers). Retrieved 2022-11-13.
  6. 1 2 "Pasopia 7 Toshiba (Japan)". 1000 BiT - Computer's description.
  7. 1 2 3 "東芝パーソナルコンピュータ PASOPIA7 (Toshiba personal computer PASOPIA7)". 郷愁のパソコン (nostalgic personal computer).
  8. ↑ "PASOPIA 7 Toshiba". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM.
  9. ↑ "Toshiba Pasopia 700 (1985)". mousefan.telcontar.net. 2021. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
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