View source for Torch Triple X

{{Short description|UNIX workstation computer}}
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The '''Torch Triple X''' (or '''XXX''') was a [[UNIX]] [[workstation]] [[computer]] produced by the [[United Kingdom|British]] company [[Torch Computers]], and launched in 1985. It was based on the [[Motorola]] [[Motorola 68010|68010]] [[microprocessor]] and ran a version of [[UNIX System V]].

== Hardware ==
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The Triple X was based on an 8 MHz 68010 [[Central processing unit|CPU]], with a [[Hitachi]] [[Hitachi 6303|6303]] "service processor". The CPU was accompanied by a [[Motorola 68451|68451]] [[memory management unit]] and a [[68450]] [[direct memory access|DMA]] controller. Both [[VMEbus]] and a [[BBC Micro]]-compatible "1MHz bus" expansion buses were provided, as was a [[SCSI]] host adapter, and an optional [[Ethernet]] interface. Both [[RS-423]] and [[X.25]]-compatible synchronous serial ports were provided. This latter feature made the Triple X attractive to the UK academic community, where X.25 networks were prevalent at the time.

Standard RAM capacity was 1 MB, expandable to 7 MB via VME cards. A 720 KB, 5.25-in [[floppy disk]] drive and [[ST-506]]-compatible 20 MB [[hard disk]] were fitted as standard, interfaced to the SCSI bus via an OMTI adapter.

Either a 10 or 13 inch colour monitor was supplied. Two graphics modes were available: 720 × 256 pixels in four colours, or 720 × 512 in two colours.

The Triple X had a novel touch-sensitive "soft" power switch. When switching off, this commanded the operating system to shut down gracefully before powering down.

== Software ==

The Triple X's firmware was called ''Caretaker''. The native [[operating system]] was  [[Uniplus+]] [[UNIX System V]] Release 2. A [[graphical user interface]] called ''OpenTop'' was also included as standard.<ref>[http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=det&p=1031 Triple X] - [http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=det&p=1022 Administrators Manual], [http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/ The Centre for Computing History], Retrieved 2009-05-25</ref>

== Quad X ==
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The Quad X is an enhanced version of the Triple X, with a [[Motorola 68020|68020]] processor and three VME expansion slots.  This was produced only in small numbers before Torch became insolvent.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite journal 
|last=Bright 
|first=Peter 
|title=Torch Triple X
|journal=[[Personal Computer World]]
|date=January 1986 
|volume=9
|issue=1
|pages=128–134}}

*{{cite newsgroup 
 | title = Re: Things you did with ZX-81's
 | author = Tony Duell
 | date = 1999-06-09
 | newsgroup = alt.folklore.computers
 |message-id= 7jke59$29q@p850ug1.demon.co.uk
 | url = http://groups.google.com/group/alt.folklore.computers/msg/56a4b35caaf6beea
 | accessdate = 2008-04-10
}}

[[Category:Computer workstations]]
[[Category:68k-based computers]]
[[Category:32-bit computers]]
[[Category:Computers designed in the United Kingdom]]

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