Rare Working Apple-1 Computer Auctioned for Up to $800,000
- An original, fully operational Apple-1 computer once owned by computer enthusiast Fred Hatfield is heading to auction this October through Bonhams, where it is expected to fetch between...
- Steve Wozniak built 200 Apple-1 computers in 1976, offering the device initially as a bare circuit board intended to be completed by hobbyists.
- Potential buyers and tech historians can view the Hatfield Apple-1 during public and private exhibitions scheduled in Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, and New York.
An original, fully operational Apple-1 computer once owned by computer enthusiast Fred Hatfield is heading to auction this October through Bonhams, where it is expected to fetch between $500,000 and $800,000, according to reporting from MacRumors. The rare machine, designated as number 48 on the official Apple-1 registry, is among fewer than 75 surviving examples known to exist today, and it remains one of a smaller group of units in working condition.
The History of the Hatfield Apple-1
Steve Wozniak built 200 Apple-1 computers in 1976, offering the device initially as a bare circuit board intended to be completed by hobbyists. Steve Jobs sold 50 fully assembled units to a California-based retailer called The Byte Shop, which resold them for $666.66 each. After Hatfield wrote to Apple to complain about limited software availability for the Apple-1, Jobs authorized a trade-in upgrade for the newly released Apple II. Hatfield ultimately declined the offer because he would have had to pay $400 for the upgrade, choosing instead to keep the original machine. Hatfield eventually sold the computer in 2013 for $40,000 when it was non-functional, according to MacRumors. The subsequent buyer repaired the hardware, secured Steve Wozniak’s signature, and sold it at auction for $671,400.
Auction Details and Public Exhibitions
Potential buyers and tech historians can view the Hatfield Apple-1 during public and private exhibitions scheduled in Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, and New York. MacRumors notes that specific dates and location information are available on the auctioneer’s website, with official bidding open from October 4 to October 14. While past functional Apple-1 computers have crossed the $900,000 threshold at auction, final hammer prices vary widely depending on the specific condition, provenance, and historical accessories attached to each unique unit. Bonhams will feature the machine as part of its upcoming sales event.
