Abstract:
On the occasion of Apple's 50th anniversary, an extremely rare and still working Apple I computer was successfully auctioned for US$1.15 million, setting a new auction record for Apple I series products. This machine is not only autographed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, but also comes with a letter written by Steve Jobs to the original owner. Therefore, it has attracted great attention from the collecting community.
As the first product in Apple’s history, Apple I’s collection value has continued to rise in recent years. The market value of this model has grown significantly over the past decade. An Apple I computer had previously been sold for nearly $500,000, much higher than the estimated price of about $300,000 at the time.
The device that set the record this time was called the "Hatfield Apple I." The original owner, Fred Hatfield, purchased the computer for $666.60. As early as 2013, the European auction house Breker sold this machine for about $666,000, which attracted widespread attention at the time.
In September 2026, this historic computer was publicly displayed in multiple locations across the United States. It was subsequently sold at an auction held by Bonhams for $1.15 million, making it the most expensive Apple I ever sold. The entire bidding process lasted only 28 minutes, and the competition was mainly between two bidders.
Iain Elling, head of fine books and manuscripts at Bonhams North America, said the results were encouraging. He believes that the "Hatfield Apple I" is one of the most important milestones in the history of computers, and being able to auction Apple's first product in the special year of Apple's 50th anniversary also has special commemorative significance.
Ellin pointed out that this computer is one of the most important examples of the Apple I to enter the market for auction, and the fierce bidding process fully reflected its rarity and long-term appeal in the collector market.
According to the Apple I registration file, this computer is numbered 48. It’s extra special not only because it’s in good condition and functioning properly, but also because Steve Wozniak’s autograph remains on the motherboard. Additionally, the machine came with a letter from Steve Jobs to Hatfield. In the letter, Jobs suggested that he use his existing Apple I and $400 as trade-in to purchase an Apple II motherboard.
In fact, this is not the only Apple I signed by Wozniak. In 2022, a restored Apple I was signed by Wozniak on the CPU chip and was finally sold for $340,100.
In recent years, the auction price of Apple I has generally remained in the range of US$300,000 to US$500,000. In March 2025, a functioning Apple I was sold for US$375,000; in September of the same year, another Apple I with its original wooden casing was sold for US$475,000.
It’s no surprise that collectors are willing to pay high prices for the Apple I. As the first computer product in Apple's history, Apple I was designed by Steve Wozniak in 1976 and was the starting point of Apple's development. In a sense, without the birth of Apple I, the Mac computers that later became popular around the world and Apple's huge product ecosystem may not have appeared. Therefore, this computer is not only an electronic product, but also regarded as an important witness in the history of personal computer development.
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