Toshiba Pasopia 7

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

Toshiba Pasopia 7
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
RelatedToshiba Pasopia 5

The machine is partially compatible with the original Pasopia, and supports connecting cartridge-type peripherals.

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

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).

After 1988, some Pasopia 7 computers were donated to developing countries under the "International Development of Computer Education Program".[5]

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. "Toshiba Pasopia 7". silicium.org. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  5. "Personal Computers TOSHIBA". KCG Computer Museum (Satellite of the Historical Computers). Retrieved 2022-11-13.
  6. "Pasopia 7 Toshiba (Japan)". 1000 BiT - Computer's description.
  7. "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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