Apple 1 Computer Sells For Record £441,000

[Jazzy]

One of only six surviving Apple 1 computers still in working order has sold for a record 516,461 euros (£441,532).

An unknown telephone bidder from the Far East bought the device during an auction in Cologne, Germany.

The Apple 1 smashed pre-auction estimates which predicted a price of 200,000 to 300,000 euros, according to Uwe H Breker, auctioneer and boss of Auction Team Breker.

The computer, designed and hand built by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, was released in 1976. It came as a motherboard only and sold for $666.66.

Only 200 units are thought to have been produced, with 46 now believed to be in existence - of which six are still in working order.

The device sold in Germany was signed by Steve Wozniak and came with an original monitor, tape-player, keyboard and documentation with the signature of Steve Jobs.

"It's really the holy grail of collectable technology," said Bob Luther, author of The First Apple.

The first batch of 50 Apple 1 computers were built by Jobs and Wozniak in the Jobs' family garage and delivered to the Byte Shop for $500 per unit.

The original asking price represents a third mark-up on the price - plus Wozniak was apparently fond of repeating digits.

View Computer

Wish I was the one who sold it!

 

[Evil Eye]

Yeah

I suppose it is a classic and all, but I'd rather buy a new computer with that kind of money...