Rare Apple-1 computer sells for record $1.15 million at auction | Latest Tech News
An exceptionally uncommon, very outdated and fully-functional Apple computer not too long ago offered at auction for $1.15 million, a world record for a commercially launched Apple-1.
The Apple-1, which was the very first product in the Silicon Valley-based tech giant’s historical past, had a aggressive, 28-minute bidding battle between two people.
“We are delighted with this exceptional result for the ‘Hatfield’ Apple-1, one of the most important milestones in computing history,” said Ian Ehling, a director at Bonhams, an worldwide auction home. “It was an honor to offer Apple’s first product during the company’s 50th anniversary year.”
John Sculley, President of Apple Computer, talks with Apple co-founders Steve Jobs, middle, and Steve Wozniak, proper, as they introduce the new Apple IIc computer at a convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco. Bettmann Archive
The “Hatfield” Apple-1, signed by creator Steve Wozniak and accompanied by a typed letter signed by Steve Jobs to unique proprietor Fred Hatfield, is shown on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. Courtesy of Bonhams
Apple CEO Steve Jobs speaks during a particular event in San Francisco, California, Wednesday, September 9, 2009. Getty Images
This particular Apple-1 is particular, as it has the clear signature of Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak on its motherboard, which is still totally purposeful. Wozniak created the Apple-1 product himself in 1976, while his more well-known co-founder Steve Jobs marketed it.
In addition to the motherboard, the auction also included a 1978 letter signed by Jobs to the computer’s unique proprietor, Fred Hatfield, offering a trade-in improve to the newly launched Apple II. There was also the unique operations handbook, a typed invitation to the “Apple I Owners Club,” and a number of {hardware} parts.
According to Bonhams, this merchandise is listed as No. 48 on the Apple-1 Registry, making it one of fewer than 75 verified Apple-1 computer systems identified to survive.
The offered machine is a testomony to the common-or-garden origins of a company that only last yr topped $4 trillion in market worth, fueled by strong demand for its latest iPhone fashions that have revolutionized the tech industry and on a regular basis life.
Back then, Jobs met Wozniak in the Seventies through a mutual pal. The two would go often to the Homebrew Computer Club conferences in Palo Alto to talk about personal computing, a new thought at the time. With money from promoting Jobs’ Volkswagen, the 2 began building computer systems in Jobs’ dad and mom’ storage.
They finally create the Apple-1. Byte Shop, one of the world’s first computer retailers in Mountain View, positioned an order for 50 at $500 each after seeing the prototype in Jobs’ storage.
The relaxation is historical past.
In later remarks, Wozniak described how the Apple-1 got here to be.
American businessman and engineer Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer Inc., poses for a portrait at the first West Coast Computer Faire, where the Apple II computer debuted, in Brooks Hall in San Francisco, California, in April 1977. Getty Images
Steve Jobs, proper, chief govt officer of Apple Inc., speaks in entrance of a file {photograph} of himself and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak during the launch of the Apple iPad pill at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco, California, Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010. Apple Inc., attempting to develop past the Macintosh, iPod and iPhone, launched the iPad, a pill computer with a contact screen. Bloomberg via Getty Images
Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc., arrives for an event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. Bloomberg via Getty Images
The ‘Hatfield’ Apple-1 computer, signed by creator Steve Wozniak and accompanied by a typed letter signed by Steve Jobs to unique proprietor Fred Hatfield, is displayed with an estimated worth of $500,000 to $800,000. Courtesy of Bonhams
The “Hatfield” Apple-1, signed by creator Steve Wozniak and accompanied by a typed letter signed by Steve Jobs to unique proprietor Fred Hatfield, is shown with an estimated worth of $500,000 to $800,000. Courtesy of Bonhams
The ‘Hatfield’ Apple-1, signed by creator Steve Wozniak and accompanied by a typed letter signed by Steve Jobs to unique proprietor Fred Hatfield, is shown with an estimate of $500,000 to $800,000. Courtesy of Bonhams
Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc., arrives for a news convention with Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. Bloomberg via Getty Images
“I typed a few keys on the keyboard and I was shocked!” he recalled in his memoir, iWoz.
“I didn’t realize it at the time, but that day, Sunday, June 29, 1975, was pivotal. It was the first time in history anyone had typed a character on a keyboard and seen it show up on the screen right in front of them.”
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