Gadget geeks and computer nerds will get a kick out of this one. The first very Apple computer, the Apple-1, is going to Christie’s London auction house in November. Back in 1976, there were more homes without computers than there were with, so getting people to buy personal computers was still a hard sale. Priced at $666.66, the computers came with no peripherals or casing. Apparently, Apple products really are built to last. The first Apple computer produced has stood the test of time, and the lucky owner stands to make at least $161,600 for his or her well preserved antique from the beginning of the home computing era. The owner has also included a personal letter penned by Steve Jobs, apparently giving thanks for the purchase.
While home computers have come a long way, the fact that an item that would have been considered junk – not even good enough to be used for scrap parts – is now going to be sold for a hefty markup. In the past 10 years, Apple stocks have earned shareholders a pretty penny, the iMac laptop was introduced, and a bevvy of other supplementary products have taken the the world by storm.
Not everyone has been receptive of the news, with some calling the auction a feeble attention to give Apple even more reason to place overpriced products on the market. While there is a world of difference between the company Apple and the owner of the first Apple computer, both made relatively small investments that neither expected to garner this much attention.
