The Apple 1 auction lot. Photo via christies.com
A vintage Apple 1 computer built in the garage of company co-founder Steve Jobs has been sold at auction for US$365,000 (€293,000).
The machine was released in 1976, with fewer than 50 now believed to be in existence.
Despite its rarity, BBC reports that the Apple 1 actually sold below auction house Christie’s estimate of US$400,000 to US$600,000. In fact, just in October, the Henry Ford organisation paid US$905,000 for one of the computers.
The Apple 1 was the consumer tech giant’s first ever product, with Jobs selling his Volkswagen van to fund the venture. Hand-made by engineer and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, the wooden computer originally sold for US$666.66. About 200 units were produced and all but 25 were sold in the first 10 months.
Wozniak was recently appointed chief scientist at storage start-up Primary Data. His new position will see him counsel the company on technology vision and architecture.
