An Apple computer was just auctioned for over $375,000; can you guess why?

An original Apple-1 computer, one of the first ever built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, has been sold at auction for $375,000. This iconic machine is not only a direct link to Apple’s humble beginnings but is also an important part of the world's tech history.
The auction was hosted by RR Auction as part of its Steve Jobs and the Apple Revolution collection. As per reports, it featured a range of rare and historic Apple memorabilia.
This particular Apple-1 was rated an impressive 8.0 out of 10 for its condition. The computer had its original integrated circuits intact and clearly labeled. Further the machine had also been carefully restored to working order by Apple-1 expert Corey Cohen. Adding to its historic value, the lot included an original user manual with handwritten notes referencing Apple’s legendary founders.

Bobby Livingston, Executive Vice President at RR Auction, emphasized the value of such an artifact. “Owning an Apple-1 is more than possessing a computer; it’s a piece of history—a direct connection to the groundbreaking vision of Jobs, Wozniak, and the pioneering team that transformed the world of technology," he said.
The Apple-1 was launched in 1976 as the very first product from the Apple Computer Company. Priced at $666.66 at the time, only about 200 units were hand-assembled, with 175 of them sold to hobbyists and early tech enthusiasts.
Unlike most computers of the era, which required users to assemble their own circuit boards, the Apple-1 came pre-assembled—a revolutionary concept at the time.
However, it still required a separate keyboard, monitor, and power supply. Many owners even built their own custom wooden or plexiglass cases since the device was sold as an open circuit board without an enclosure.
The Apple-1, powered by a MOS MCS6502 processor and featuring 4KB of RAM, relied on cassette tapes for data storage. It did not support lowercase letters or have a delete function, making typing errors a real headache.

The Apple-1 wasn’t the only rare item to go under the hammer at this auction. Several other Apple-related collectibles fetched impressive sums:
A cheque signed by Steve Jobs from 1976 – One cheque sold for over ₹93 lakh ($112,054), while another fetched ₹52 lakh ($62,500).
A factory-sealed first-generation 4GB iPhone – Auctioned for ₹72 lakh ($87,514).
An Apple Lisa computer with rare ‘Twiggy’ drives – An early attempt at personal computing with a graphical interface, sold for ₹47 lakh ($56,818).
Additionally, prototypes of early Macintosh computers and Steve Jobs’ business cards – were also available for bidding.