Man selling original Apple computer for $50K

[techbeck]

ROSEVILLE, Calif. - The original Apple-1 computer has been called the Holy Grail of vintage machines and a California man has one for sale.

The computer, handmade by Apple founder Steve Jobs, was sold in small batches back in 1976.

By today's standards it looks downright primitive. But Jesse Sackman knows it's also a collectors item and he wants $50,000 for his model on eBay.

"It's a museum piece and in demand all over the world," said Sackman.

Sackman says he's selling his Apple-1 with its original packing for financial reasons.

"I hate that I have to, it's very hard for me," said Sackman.

The computer even comes with a typed letter from Steve Jobs to the original buyer of the Apple-1 who wanted his money back because it didn't come with a keyboard or monitor. In the letter, Jobs explains to the buyer how to connect it.

Bidding ends Sunday. So far there are no online bids on the computer.

http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/...n-apple-ON.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Apple_I_Computer.jpg

[thealexweb]

I wouldn't be surprised if a Microsoft fan boy bought it and destroyed it lol, but no I hope it finds a new home.

[t_r_nelson]

Wow. I love it.

Can someone lend me $50K? Please?

[Gally]

According to wikipedia Steve Jobs only sold them, he didn't make them

[Skyfrog]

Yeah, the article is wrong there. Wozniak built them (later with help from other people). Jobs just ran the business part of things.

[Andre]

"HERE IS" and "REPEAT" keys.. lol wtf xD

[The Rev]

Ew. No Thanx.

[FloatingFatMan]

Perhaps someone should mail this to Steve Jobs? HE might be interested in picking it up.. A little Apple history after all...

[perochan]

sell it to steve jobs? he might needs it :D if he lost his already.

[Soldiers33]

thats one fugly piece of kit. I dont know why anyone would everpay 50k for that, when I can build a fully functional pc for under 1k.

[Xilo]

thats one fugly piece of kit. I dont know why anyone would everpay 50k for that, when I can build a fully functional pc for under 1k.

It has high historical value and is very rare especially considering the condition.

It's not about functionality.

[FloatingFatMan]

thats one fugly piece of kit. I dont know why anyone would everpay 50k for that, when I can build a fully functional pc for under 1k.

Congratulations on totally missing the point. As a computer, it's a pile of crap, but as a piece of computing history, it's far FAR more.

[Skyfrog]

"HERE IS" and "REPEAT" keys.. lol wtf xD

The "Here Is" key was used on teletype machines, and the repeat key when held down along with a character caused that character to be repeated (the same as simply holding down a character key does today). Early PC keyboards were obviously based on existing keyboards and functionality of the time (typewriters, teletypes, etc).

thats one fugly piece of kit. I dont know why anyone would everpay 50k for that, when I can build a fully functional pc for under 1k.

Yes, because people would be buying it for everyday use and not for it's rarity or historical value. As for it being ugly (which I disagree with) what exactly did you expect a home built computer from the 70s to look like? An iMac?

/facepalm

Edited November 21, 2009 by Skyfrog

[WastedJoker]

Typical overpriced Apple product.

[MightyJordan]

Typical overpriced Apple product.

Damn, you beat me to it. :p

Still true though. Even though it is a pretty historic computer, it certainly is not worth $50,000. You could get the mother of all gaming PCs for that!

[Eric Veteran]

Before I clicked on the image link I was thinking, "Hmm... It'd better be wood or it's fake." :) I've seen a few of those in my day.

[Rigby]

I think it should be pointed out that the picture in the wiki article is not what you'd be getting. The Apple I did not come with a case, you had to make your own. What you would be buying here is just a circuit board basically. Here is the actual auction page: eBay

There's no way it will bring $50,000, this guy is dreaming. Also $3000 for shipping, give me a break. :D

Edited November 21, 2009 by TRC

[Soldiers33]

who cares about how old it is, it could be from the 1500 hundreds, if it doesnt do what a normal computer can then i consider it rubbish.

[BigBoobLover]

who cares about how old it is, it could be from the 1500 hundreds, if it doesnt do what a normal computer can then i consider it rubbish.

Wow! You must be the kind of person who would have sold the Antikythera mechanism for scrap metal if you had found it.

[sundayx Veteran]

Typical overpriced Apple product.

Brilliant.

[Soldiers33]

Wow! You must be the kind of person who would have sold the Antikythera mechanism for scrap metal if you had found it.

r u kidding me? if I found that id just kick it out the way, wouldnt even bother picking it up

[spy beef]

Someone actually made an account and bought it :o

http://offer.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=320451173813

[Blackhearted]

Congratulations on totally missing the point. As a computer, it's a pile of crap, but as a piece of computing history, it's far FAR more.

Not really. Even as a 'piece of computing history' it's still a pile of crap. All it signifies is the start of a company that has been blatantly ripping people off for years and years.

[Xilo]

Does anyone have anything better to do than to bash Apple at every chance they get?

Seriously getting old seeing it at any mention of Apple on these forums.

[Denis W. Veteran]

who cares about how old it is, it could be from the 1500 hundreds, if it doesnt do what a normal computer can then i consider it rubbish.

Seriously?