Rare Working Apple 1 Computer Headed to Auction

[MacRumors]

German auction house Breker (via ComputerWorld) is set to put a working Apple 1 on auction later this month and it may fetch between $240,000 and $400,000. There are an estimated six working Apple 1 computers in existence.

The Apple 1 is signed by Steve Wozniak and was originally owned by Computer Data Systems' Fred Hatfield. The computer is also bundled with the original manual and a letter from Steve Jobs to Hatfield in which Jobs offers to exchange Hatfield's Apple 1 for an Apple II 4K motherboard if Hatfield is willing to pay an extra $400.

As noted by AppleInsider, the record price for an Apple 1 was $640,000 at an auction in December. Last August, a non-working Apple 1 headed to auction with a much lower $125,000 estimate. Before that, another Apple 1 fetched $375,000 at Sotheby's auction in New York.

The Apple 1 was originally priced at $666.66 when it was released in 1976, with only 200 units produced. It's believed that there are roughly 30 to 50 still intact.

Article Link: Rare Working Apple 1 Computer Headed to Auction

 

[Klae17]

$666,666.66. Final offer.

 

[justperry]

Time to make a copy and sell it for a high price.

 

[macs4nw]

.....The computer is also bundled with the original manual and a letter from Steve Jobs to Hatfield in which Jobs offers to exchange Hatfield's Apple 1 for an Apple II 4K motherboard if Hatfield is willing to pay an extra $400.

Article Link: Working Apple 1 Signed by Woz Headed to Auction With $250,000 to $400,000 Estimate

Priceless .....no pun intended.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Time to make a copy and sell it for a high price.

Don't worry, Samsung will do that.

 

[iMikeT]

Awesome, this thing comes with a Star Trek TOS tricorder!

 

[Jibbajabba]

There are an estimated six working Apple 1 computers in existence.
....
It's believed that there are roughly 30 to 50 still intact.

So what is it - six or 50 ...

 

[ThomasJL]

The computer is also bundled with the original manual and a letter from Steve Jobs to Hatfield in which Jobs offers to exchange Hatfield's Apple 1 for an Apple II 4K motherboard if Hatfield is willing to pay an extra $400.

In comparison to the Apple 1, I guess the Apple II 4k motherboard was snappier.

Seriously though, it's nice to see that there's still a functional Apple 1 out there. I say that because I find it inspiring to see how humble Apple's beginnings were, and how much of a massive success they achieved despite the naysayers around them.

 

[jayducharme]

So what is it - six or 50 ...

I assume when they say six working versions, the rest would be non-functional. Given its age, I'm amazed this one still works ... and that it could actually generate an image of Steve Jobs.

 

[Winni]

Given its age, I'm amazed this one still works.

Well, back in the 1970s, Apple hadn't yet adopted the Planned Obsolescence business model...

 

[needfx]

I really hope I can render with direct x

 

[farleysmaster]

There's an Apple I in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. I don't imagine it works.

 

[madsci954]

The computer is also bundled with the original manual and a letter from Steve Jobs to Hatfield in which Jobs offers to exchange Hatfield's Apple 1 for an Apple II 4K motherboard if Hatfield is willing to pay an extra $400.

The more things change, the more they they the same

 

[Four oF NINE]

What were the defining features and benefits of this computer?

 

[M-O]

Well, back in the 1970s, Apple hadn't yet adopted the Planned Obsolescence business model...

because i'm sure this thing can run Mountain Lion.

 

[CGagnon]

In comparison to the Apple 1, I guess the Apple II 4k motherboard was snappier.

This joke is not funny anymore.

 

[JPyre]

This joke is not funny anymore.

How about this one?

 

[rdlink]

Who in the world would want this thing? It's probably been deemed obsolete by Apple, and thus you can't get any Genius Bar support for it. ;-)

 

[Twimfy]

Who in the world would want this thing? It's probably been deemed obsolete by Apple, and thus you can't get any Genius Bar support for it. ;-)

I'd like to buy it just to take it to a Genius Bar and see how they react.

 

[gnasher729]

Well, back in the 1970s, Apple hadn't yet adopted the Planned Obsolescence business model...

Actually, the Apple I is so rare because owners were offered a cheap upgrade to an Apple II and many took the opportunity. I believe the ones that were exchanged all got destroyed. The only ones that still exist are those where the owner did hang on to obsolete equipment.

And you are of course invited to give an example of "Planned Obsolescence" and how that is Apple's business model. I am curious.

 

[someguyinca]

But will it play Crysis?

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Time to make a copy and sell it for a high price.

See the replica 1.

So what is it - six or 50 ...

"intact" and "working" are two separate things. My aunt has an "intact" 1966 Alfa Romeo Spider - but it certainly isn't "working".

 

[barkomatic]

I'd like to buy it just to take it to a Genius Bar and see how they react.

I imagine most genius bar employees wouldn't even know what it was. I'm willing to bet that there are probably 20 more undiscovered Apple I computers sitting in an attic or basement somewhere waiting to get thrown out by someone who just thinks its some old random circuit board.

 

[Breaking Good]

I imagine most genius bar employees wouldn't even know what it was. I'm willing to bet that there are probably 20 more undiscovered Apple I computers sitting in an attic or basement somewhere waiting to get thrown out by someone who just thinks its some old random circuit board.

I'm willing to bet that most Genius Bar employees were not even born when the Apple I was released.

 

[teleromeo]

So what is it - six or 50 ...

50 intact and six still used on a daily base.