A rare and working Apple-1 computer can be yours for $ 1.5 million

If you’ve ever wanted to own a piece of computer history, now is your chance. There is currently what is billed as Apple-1, a model of the first line of computers launched by the company in 1976, listed on eBay. It’s not exactly cheap and will set you back $ 1.5 million.

The Apple-1 is a rare item that is highly sought after by Apple fans. Even the origin story attracts you. According to Cult of Mac, the computers were designed and handcrafted by Steve Wozniak and wholesale by Steve Jobs. In order to pay the manufacturing costs, Wozniak sold his HP-65 calculator and Jobs sold his Volkswagen van.

The Apple-1 for sale on eBay, which the seller claims has a certificate of authenticity from Apple Registry-1, is special because it is said to be one of 50 sold at Byte Shop, one of the first personal computer stores. The product listing shows that the Apple-1 is in its original Byte Shop KOA wooden case and also includes its original power supply and Datanetics Version D keyboard.

The seller, who goes through krishmiti, says the Apple-1 is an unmodified NTI card in near perfect condition. The bundle also includes a vintage Sony TV-115 and a video modulator. (According to Cult of Mac, users had to add their own keyboard and monitor, or use a TV for it.)

Now, let’s talk about the specifications of this technological dinosaur. It had an 8-bit MOS 6502 microprocessor operating at 1 MHz. In terms of memory, it included 4KB by default, but this could be increased to 8KB or 48KB by using expansion cards. Only 200 Apple-1 computers, plus a few pre-production boards, have been done. Their starting price was $ 666.66.

Decades later, these devices are fetching much higher prices. In 2010, an Apple-1 computer in its original packaging with a letter signed by Jobs sold for $ 210,000. Meanwhile, in 2014, an Apple-1 computer auctioned for $ 905,000, which is the highest price anyone has paid for a vintage Apple computer to date, though this seller obviously wants to break that record.

There is only a small amount of Apple-1 today, in part due to age, according to Cult of Mac. Apple also allowed buyers to trade in their Apple-1 for the Apple II, which became the first mass market computer.

This is not the first time that Krishmiti has tried to sell his Apple-1. He tried to sell it for $ 1.75 million in 2019, but undoubtedly did not obtain any takers since it lowered the price of a notch. Is an Apple-1 worth $ 1.5 million? We might find out soon.