Apple-1: The First Apple Computer, A Legendary Piece of Tech History from 1976

Apple released many new contents such as the new generation M2 chip and the newly designed MacBook Air at the Developer Conference on June 7 this year. So do you want to go back and see what Apple’s first computer looked like?

Well, today we will introduce to you the Apple-1, the first generation of Apple computers manufactured in 1976. The Apple-1 was the first computer made by Apple. Only 200 were produced before Apple switched to producing the Apple II, and of those 200, very few are still functioning properly.

And some of the machines also come with the signature of founder Steve Watts, which makes them even more precious. This is not just a computer, but a piece of computer history.

At that time, this Apple-1 was not considered a complete computer, but was actually some assembly parts provided to some computer enthusiasts.

We saw that this Apple-1 included a small CRT monitor, a Woz design motherboard, a keyboard, a regulated power supply, a tape drive for storing programs, and some user manuals. This still requires enthusiasts with strong hands-on skills to use the early models, and other enthusiasts also DIYed many casings for it.

The legendary Apple-1 computer was originally assembled by Wozniak and Steve Jobs in the garage of Jobs’ home. It’s fully functional and in near-mint condition, and it would probably cost around $500,000 today.

This computer was known as the “Schlumberger 2” Apple-1 because it was originally sold in 1977 to an oil services company called Schlumberger Overseas. It’s from the second batch of Apple-1 computers, most likely one of the last batch assembled in Jobs’ family garage in late 1976 or early 1977.

About a month before the launch of the Apple-1, the clever duo launched The Vintage, a showcase of Wozniak’s handcrafted computers at the Homebrew Computer Club in Silicon Valley. After giving the presentation, Steve Jobs approached the Byte Shop, a local computer store, trying to sell their computer.

Steve Jobs’ hard work paid off. He was awarded a contract to sell 50 computers at the store for a total price of $25,000. Then, the only thing left to do is get funding to build their first product.

Due to limited funds, Steve Wozniak sold his HP 65 computer and Steve Jobs sold his Volkswagen van. Unfortunately, they still cost less than $15,000 or so in spare parts.

An old friend agreed to lend them $5,000, and Jobs applied for a loan from a bank. Unfortunately, the bank declined to apply for the loan. But Jobs’ passion for creating the first Apple computer kept things moving.

Jobs’ persistence finally paid off when he managed to convince the computer parts store manager to contact Byte Shop owner Paul Terrell to confirm he had received the $25,000 order. Eventually, the Steve duo got the parts they needed on a 30-day credit after Terrell confirmed it.

The original Apple-1 computers were purchased by the Byte Shop and sold for the unusual price of $666.66 each. Wozniak added that he chose the price simply because he liked repeating numbers

By September 1977, Byte Shop had sold approximately 200 units. The Apple II was launched in April 1977, and the success of the Apple-1 greatly contributed to the popularity of the Apple II. An Apple-1 was auctioned in 2014 for $905,000.

The Apple-1 was the first personal computer to come with a fully assembled motherboard, and the motherboard on this model is in very good condition with almost no flaws. The machine up for auction retains most of its original components. The Apple-1 didn’t come with a protective case, and this one doesn’t either. Instead, the green motherboard is proudly displayed on a Brazilian walnut board, with each component mounted on top. It also comes with a white ceramic Synertek 6502 microprocessor signed by Wozniak in 2021.

In addition to the computer itself, the auction also includes all of the precise components that help it run. The lucky buyer will also receive a Sanyo monitor, Panasonic tape recorder, a replica of the Apple-1 tape interface and a Cherry keyboard. In addition to these devices, it’s no shock that the monitor and keyboard are external. The first Apple-1 computer sold had no case, keyboard, or display. It doesn’t even have power. It originally sold for $666.66 and only about 175 units were sold. With the introduction of the Apple II, the price of the first device dropped to $475.