One of the very first Apple 1 computing devices, which, by the way, is still in 100% working condition, is going on auction next month. According to media reports, it could sell for well over $300,000 – but if one takes into account the historical significance of this piece of computing history, then it might well find a buyer for much, much more.
Designed in the 1970s by Steve Jobs and his friend Steve Wozniak, this rare device will be auctioned by RR Auctions, a Boston-based firm of auctioneers. It is one of only 60 of these computers known to be in existence at present.
Writing about the upcoming auction, CNET said: “RR Auctions is preparing to take bids on a functioning, late “Byte Shop”-style Apple-1 model, with the expectation that it will go for more than $300,000.”
That is more or less what you should expect to fork out for the very fast and dangerously sensuous Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, the news outlet reported during the weekend.
Apple Computer 1, which is usually referred to in the industry as the Apple-1 or the Apple 1, is a desktop computing device that the Apple Computer Company launched way back in 1976 – an era that could quite aptly be described as the computer Stone Age.
Not only the motherboard will be on sale at the auction, but also a keyboard and monitor from that period – as well as the original manual that came with the device. With its mind-boggling 4KB of RAM, this device gives a nearly unparalleled peek into exactly how “powerful” an Apple computer was 52 years ago.
The machine was meticulously restored by Apple 1 expert Corey Cohen earlier this year, and according to Mashable, this particular computer deserves an above-average rating of 8.5/10.