Apple 1 computer sells for $387,750 — and that may be a steal
By Sam Laird Mashable
A rare Apple 1 computer — among the first ever produced by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak’s one-time tech startup — has sold at auction for nearly $400,000.
The piece of computing history, hand-built in the garage of Jobs’ parents way back in 1976, went for $387,750 in an online-only Christie’s auction. The device was reportedly sold by a retired school psychologist from California, and bought by an Italian collectors’ club.
And here’s the kicker: The Italians may have actually gotten a pretty good deal. How so? Another Apple 1 sold at auction for a whopping $671,400 just this May. That broke the previous Apple 1 sale record of $640,000. The device that sold this week was projected to go for up to $500,000.
There is, however, one significant caveat. This week’s sale included just a motherboard and other components (all of which Christie’s says remain fully functional). May’s record-setting unit, on the other hand, also included an original monitor.
So what do you think: Was $387,750 a relative steal for an ultra-rare Apple 1, or does the lack of monitor make it a rip-off? Give us your take in the comments.
Image via Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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