Computer Collector Buys Apple 1 for $18,000

Earlier this month, a computer collector bought a rare Apple 1 on eBay. The computer had an estimated value of $14,000 – $16,000, given that no more than 50 still exist out there. The buyer ended up paying $18,000 for it, while the seller (Monroe Postman) wasn’t even sure if it would still work, according to Cult of Mac.

The website posts an interview and photos of the Apple 1 recently acquired by the anonymous collector. “I have been collecting vintage computers for number of years,” he tells the Cult. “Obviously, original Apple I is a dream for any serious computer collector and for me, this dream came through. I have 150+ vintage computers in my collection, which I try to maintain in working order. Occasionally, I take some to local middle and high schools to show to the students. I have an exact working Apple I replica, which is always a hit. Students love playing Lunar Lander,” the collector stresses.

Asked what plans he has with his new acquisition, the buyer has replied, “One of those days, I am planning to open a real ‘museum’ for public and the Apple I will take one of the central places.” Emphasizing just how important this acquisition has been, “Even though my wife is in the computer business herself, she does not pay much attention to my hobby. Obviously, $18K raised her brow, but she understood it in the end.”

“Close examination of the circuit board and the components reveal no visible defects except for a small dent on one of the capacitors in the power circuit. The board itself is in excellent condition. Though everything seems to be in a good shape, I will not attempt to power it up to prevent any possible damage to the computer,” he also tells the site.

The collector also notes that he was happy with the purchase price, and that he was willing to go up to 20 thousand dollars to get the item. Even so, the guy reveals he’s actually a PC user, both at home, and at work. “Apple makes great computers however, lack of competition and absence of outside hardware and software vendors makes them very overpriced though, I need to admit, that this picture is changing now. Who knows, maybe in a year or so I will switch to a Mac,” he says in the interview. The collector also adds he’d love to meet the maker of the Apple 1 (Steve Wozniak), or Apple’s CEO and Co-Founder, Steve Jobs.