A working Apple 1 computer, signed by co-creator Steve Wozniak, sold for a record-breaking price at auction in New York. The 1976 machine, one of the few remaining functional units, sparked a competitive bidding battle lasting around 30 minutes. The final hammer price reached $900,000, surpassing pre-sale estimates. Including the buyer’s premium, the total cost to the winning bidder amounted to $1,148,200 (£870,000).

This sale sets a new world record for an Apple 1, outpacing the previous highest auction price of $905,000 recorded in 2014. The Apple 1, developed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, is recognized as the first pre-assembled personal computer. Of the 200 units originally produced, approximately 75 are known to still exist, with only a fraction remaining fully operational.

The particular Apple 1 sold was previously owned by electrical engineer Fred Hatfield. He initially purchased it in 2013 for $40,000 before selling it later that year at auction for $671,400. The recent sale has significantly increased the machine’s market value, reflecting its status as a key piece of computing history and a coveted collectible among technology enthusiasts.