Remember how we discussed the Apple II in class last night?
If you want to get your hands on the even older Apple I, you can bid on one at a Christie’s auction for about $400,000.
Corey Cohen, a vintage computer enthusiast, has been bringing these back to life and shared some insights into these machines with the New York Times.
What accounts for the soaring value of the Apple–1? The popularity of Apple?
Yes, partially because of Apple. There were only 175 made. There are only 60-odd boards that are actually known to still exist. It’s probably one of the prettiest boards that you see because it was laid out really well. The Apple–1 board is a piece of art.
How much computing power does an Apple–1 have?
It’s incredible how primitive the machines are. You were able to type commands in to do things, but they were extremely cryptic. If you wanted to add two numbers it was a fairly complicated task. You couldn’t even backspace on an Apple–1. Your iPhone is light years ahead.
Couldn’t even backspace? Was there no control-H?
Update: The computer sold for a bargain: $365,000.