This computer was partially compatible with the Texas Instuments TI 99/4A. It had almost the same characteristics, except its main CPU (TMS 9995 instead of the TMS 9900 for the TI 99/4A).
The two languages (GBASIC and Tomy Basic) were only available in UK and US computers. The Japanese computers didn't have the Tomy Basic (a TI-like Basic), but a "nihongo basic" using japanese characters and words, e.g. "kake" meant "print", "moshi-naraba" meant "if-then".
This computer, known under the name Pyuuta in Japan had no really success outside Japan. It was followed by the Pyuuta Mark 2 and a game console called Pyuuta Jr one year later.
Please consider donating your old computer / videogame system to Old-Computers.com or one of our partners from anywhere in the world (Europe, America, Asia, etc.).
There are still Gamepads being made for these in 2021 if you check at ebay!! Called ''Retro pads for the Tomy Tutor''! Someone still makes hardware for these machines in 2021 ...OMG!??!...O_o!
Tuesday 10th August 2021
Jay (UK)
There''s an interesting site about TMS99xx stuff :
http://www.avjd51.dsl.pipex.com/
Has quite a lot of stuff on the TI TMS9900/TMS9995 hardware including a breadboard self-build computer based on the TMS9995
Well worth a look !
Friday 18th July 2014
Mark (USA)
Hi.
Does anyone have schematics, service manuals, detailed pics of PCB etc ??
Thanks
Thursday 26th June 2014
Robert (England)
NAME
Tutor / Pyuuta
MANUFACTURER
Tomy
TYPE
Home Computer
ORIGIN
Japan
YEAR
1983
BUILT IN LANGUAGE
GBasic + Tomy Basic on later machines Integrated software : Tomy Paint (paint program)
KEYBOARD
QWERTY, 56 rubber keys with a large pink spacebar
CPU
Texas-Instrument TMS 9995NL
SPEED
2.7 MHz
CO-PROCESSOR
Videochip : Texas-Instrument TMS 9918ANL
RAM
16 kb (up to 64 kb)
VRAM
16 kb
ROM
32 kb (including TOMY Basic, GBASIC, and graphic software)
TEXT MODES
32 x 24 in 16 colors
GRAPHIC MODES
256 x 192 in 16 colors 4 unicolor sprites
COLORS
16
SOUND
3 channels (2 music, 1 noise), 8 octaves
SIZE / WEIGHT
36 x 24 cm
I/O PORTS
Joystick port (9-pin DSUB, but not Atari compatible) RF output Video composite/Audio outputs I/O port Cartridge slot 5-DIN plug for tape-recorder
