Working Apple I

Two 'Working Apple I' stories May 2013 - June 2013

Apple cofounders in the news: Steve Jobs on legacy, and Woz firing-up three Apple Is 35 years later

http://youtu.be/zut2NLMVL_k

The Loop spotted that YouTube channel EverySteveJobsVideo has uploaded a previously-unseen video of Steve Jobs answering a question about what would be his legacy.

Rather ironically, one of the statements he made – that in a few years it wouldn’t even be possible to fire up an Apple I to see what it was like – was proven wrong by the other Steve yesterday doing just that. Mercury News reports that Steve Wozniak fired-up not just one but three Apple I computers at the History San Jose centre. Given that one recently sold for $671k, that’s about $2 million worth he powered-up …

Apple I computer sells for 1000+ times its original $666 selling price

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!