Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The original Apple 1 computer

Apple 1 computerApple 1 motherboardApple IIt's discoveries like this (US only) Apple 1 auction that make searching eBay worth the trouble. The Apple-1 (or is it Apple I?), you see, is an incredibly rare piece of computing kit and was hand-built by Steve Wozniak. There are probably less than 50 of the thing left, as most were returned to Apple to be traded in for a much more powerful yet definitely not rare Apple II...

This particular auction includes the Apple 1 motherboard with 4K RAM installed, all original Apple 1 components, a keyboard with modified cable for the Apple 1, RF Modulator, the Apple 1 Cassette Interface card with all original components, six Apple 1 program tapes (Monitor/Disassembler, Integer Basic, AppleTrek, Hamurabi, Maze Creator, and Blackjack) and a rather impressive Statement of Authenticity signed by Steve Wozniak (Apple Employee #1).

In case you don't want to bid on this beauty -bids do start at 30,000$ I'm afraid- you could find out more about it at Wikipedia, SB Projects and Low End Mac. And you can of course emulate the Apple-1 via MESS.

12 comments:

  1. What a piece of history! Thanks for the pointer. I hope there are a few dot-com millionaires who know their roots and will bid that one up.

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  2. Better yet, how about a millionaire that gifts one to retro treasures?

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  3. Well, it seems it might be a tad to expensive for this day and age, though I'm pretty sure it will eventually be snapped up.

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  4. As someone said, history is priceless... I wish I had the opportunity to see one

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  5. So do I my friend. Actually I'm entertaining the thought of visiting one of those computer history museums and expos.

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  6. Finally, there is a single bid! Now let's hope the lucky winner is in fact planning to donate the prize to retro-treasures :-)

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  7. What a noble cause indeed...

    ;)

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  8. Well, it finished at $42,766.00...I'm trying to decide if that number (or $1 less) has some sort of computer geek significance (I should know, too!) but yeah, at least it got a few extra bucks beyond the opening bid. Now you just have to wait for it to show up on your doorstep!

    Also - I just noticed the $228 shipping charge....doesn't that seem a bit absurd?? I get that it's a pricey item, but one doesn't have to be quite so obvious in the overcharging of the wealthy bidder.

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  9. Nope, no geek significance according to the Mayas. Don't worry about. All you should worry about is helping me mount it in a case the moment it arrives here. Also, I can live with overcharged rich people, though admittedly 230$ does seem a bit steep...

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