MO5 NR
The Thomson MO5 NR is a special version of the MO5, developped especially for the educative network called NanoReseau, hence the “NR”. The NanoRéseau was initially composed of several original MO5 systems with their NanoRéseau expansions (64 KB RAM + Network features). The MO5 NR includes the network expansion and much more.
The system uses the same case as the MO5E, but the MO5 NR is maybe closer to the MO6 than to the original MO5. It is the first “MO” system to offer a boot menu, later found on the MO6, T08, TO8D, TO9 and TO9+. This feature is closely related to the fact that these systems hold two Basic languages: the Microsoft Basic 1.0 (in fact level 5) initially found on the TO-7, TO-7/70 and MO5; and the Basic Microsoft 128 offering among other things, full 128 KB RAM to work with, which is quite a tour de force as most 8-bit systems of the time couldn’t handle more than 64 KB RAM.
The MO5 NR also offer a palette of 4096 colours to choose from, though only 16 could be displayed at the same time on the screen. Graphic resolutions come from 160 x 200 to 640 x 200, though the most used was 320 x 200. There is the possibility to display 80 and 40 text columns.
Like on the MO5E, two controller ports (Atari standard) can be found at the front of the system. In fact the MO5 expansion called “music & games” is also built-in and offer these two controller ports and 4 voices with 5 octaves. But at the back is where you can tell the difference! Compared to the MO5E, the SCART connector has been replaced by two Network DIN connectors, the RF TV video output by the power in plug, the Centronics interface by Network dip switches (for network station numbering, the same found on the Network expansion of the original MO5), and the power cord (MO5E had a built-in power supply) by a SCART cord… quite different indeed (see MORE PICTURES section). Thus the MO5NR need to be powered by an external power supply. The MO5 PSU can be used, but in schools, the MO5 NR was generaly powered by its own dedicated monitor.
The MO5NR is thus a kind of super MO5, a mix between the MO5 and the soon to be released MO6. Unfortunately, as it was very expensive, schools prefered to buy MO5E systems with a network expansion…
| NAME | MO5 NR |
| MANUFACTURER | Thomson |
| TYPE | Home Computer |
| ORIGIN | France |
| YEAR | 1984 |
| BUILT IN LANGUAGE | Microsoft Basic 1.0 and Microsoft Basic 128 1.0 |
| KEYBOARD | AZERTY layout, full-stroke keyboard. Arrow keys, SHIFT, BASIC key, INS (insert), EFF (delete), ACC (accent), STOP, CNT (continue), CLEAR (cls), HOM (home), RESET button. |
| CPU | Motorola 6809e |
| SPEED | 1 MHz |
| RAM | 128 KB (31003 bytes free with Basic 1.0 and 111015 bytes free with Basic 128) |
| VRAM | 16 KB |
| ROM | 64 KB expandable ROM (Monitor + Basic 1.0 + Basic 128) |
| TEXT MODES | 40 x 25 |
| GRAPHIC MODES | 320 x 200 (16 colors), 640 x 200 (2 colors), 320 x 200 (4 colors pixel by pixel), 160 x 200 (16 colors per pixel), 320 x 200 (3 colors with 1 transparency level), 320 x 200 (2 colors with alternative 2-page display), 160 x 200 (5 colors with 3 transparency levels) |
| COLORS | 4096 |
| SOUND | 4 voices, 5 octaves |
| SIZE / WEIGHT | 440 x 231 x 84 mm / 2 Kg |
| I/O PORTS | Light pen connector, Tape interface (1200 bauds), SCART video cable (RGB + synchro + sound), Cartridge slot (Memo5), Expansion bus, Power in, 2 x joystick connectors (Atari standard), 2 x Nanoréseau connectors |
| POWER SUPPLY | External power supply unit. 18 to 22 volts DC. 8 W |
| PRICE | Unknown |
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