Photo: The Verge
Remember when we mentioned that you could pick up what is believed to be one of only six remaining Apple I computers in working order if you had “a spare $260-400k”? We were wrong. The NYT reports that the machine broke all expectations when it sold at auction on Saturday for $671,400.
The high prices paid for the machines seem to be explained by the combination of scarcity, a fascination with the early history of the computer age, and the mystique of Apple and its founders, Steven P. Jobs and Stephen G. Wozniak. And some irrational exuberance in the prices, for a machine that can do very little and originally sold for $666 (about $2,700 in current dollars).
The machine was bought earlier in this year in non-working condition for $40k. Its then owner apparently managed to source the parts needed to restore it to working order – nice work if you can get it!
German auction house Team Breker is auctioning one of the last remaining Apple I computers in working order, expecting it to sell for between $260k and $400k. Also available is a complete LISA system for an estimated $20-40k.
