I'm curious if the buyer was a technology enthousiast, Apple lover or simply someone making a future investment? With all the craze for Jobs, it feels like such an item would probably rise in value in the future.
I dunno; but I just hope there's another one JUST like that buyer when it comes time for me to sell MY WORKING APPLE 1
There are a few replicas available for those of us who can't afford a real Apple 1. The least expensive is Briel Computers' "Replica 1" which is not a cosmetic replica but more of a "work-alike" computer. Applefritter.com's Tom Owad wrote a book based on that kit. On the other extreme is Mike Willegal's "Mimeo 1" which is an extremely accurate reproduction. I know the people behind these kits/sites and they're all very hobby-centric.
Yeah. Mike Willeagal (creator of the Mimeo-1, and owner of the Apple 1 Registry site) even went to the trouble of creating a custom font for the silkscreen layer. I asked him if he X-Rayed the original board, and he said "No", and that he simply took a LOT of high-detail photos, and then went back and forth, printing out his board and laying it on a light table with the original.
I don't know much about the Replica 1; but it isn't a cold-copy of the original, like Mike's is. It's so close that I asked him if anyone has tried to auction one of his off AS an original. He said he deliberately put a marking on his board to prevent that from happening...
And yes, as an owner of an Apple 1 myself, it IS that close.
They didn't make everything out of CRAP in those days
You realize that there are only SIX known operating Apple 1's, right? The production run was around 200. That means roughly 3% survived - the rest are either in a landfill, or non-operational. And who knows what condition they are in - for all we know, they could've had parts replaced (including capacitors).
Heck, the original Apple 1 hanging at 1 Infinite Loop might not even work anymore. (It's sitting in a plaque marked "Our Founder").
I think that one got sold, didn't it.
Oh, and it's SEVEN now. My one-owner Apple 1 still works, and it isn't in the Apple 1 Registry. Mike Willeagal (who runs the Apple 1 Registry site) says he can't figure out where Sotheby's came up with the "Six working" figure, except maybe they counted the ones on his site that mention that they have BEEN working.
Ahhh, I dream of the day that leaded solder is used again in electronics. Got to love brain-dead environmentalists who don't bother researching WHY some things are done the way they are.
Lead paint in kids toys? Yea, no good reason for that.
Lead solder in electronics? VERY VERY VERY GOOD F*****G REASONS FOR USING IT.
Any environmental savings is more than made up by the lowered reliability and shorter lifespans. Anyone who thinks lead-free solder has been a good idea is either ignorant of its problems or an idiot.
Yeah. And they didn't even replace it with some known-inert metal, either.
Twenty years from now, they'll be bitching about all the Bismuth and Indium leaching into the water table.
I find it amazing that the three 2,400uF electrolytic capacitors are still working after 36 years!
These capacitors slowly degrade over time--I wonder what their capacitance is today?
Mine still work. And the capacitance of those computer-grade caps stays pretty good, even after all this time.
Having said that, I still brought my Apple 1 up on a Variac, with all the chips removed, the last time I fired it up.
$105 832 based on today's close. So I guess the Apple 1 was still a good investment! (if you were one of the 5 people who managed to keep it functional for 30 years).
You think this is bad? Dell did the same to me, even though my machine has (came from factory with) 4GB of RAM! And the combination of their BIOS + drivers only allow 2.9 GB of usable RAM on the default OS (Win7 32-bit)! I've seen some posts saying that you're now allowed to install a Win7 64-bit with a key from 32-bit OS, but anyway you can't just upgrade a 32-bit installation to 64-bit (you have to reinstall).
I'm REALLY not trolling or flamebaiting; but I'd love to know why Apple can seamlessly integrate 32 and 64 bit "stuff" while running the same CPUs as other PC manufacturers; but with Windows at least, they can't even keep them in the same Applications folder (WTF is with the Program Files, and Program Files(x86), anyway?), and has to have two completely separate OSes to properly use 64 bit?
I mean, we're going to be caught between a 32 and 64 bit world for quite a bit; why cause all this pain for the user?
From the post: "...running the Win RT (ARM-based ) subset version of Win 8."
Clearly implies Win RT is based on Win 8, but a subset, since you cannot run legacy Win apps and is missing many other full Win 8 features.
Full Win8 is only available in x86 version.
This is like calling iOS OS X RT. Yeah, they share some roots; but they are fundamentally different OSes. MS is just hoping you'll be confused by the similarity on names and look of the Start screen (or whatever they call it) to THINK that this will be able to run all your legacy Windows apps.
Apple, OTOH, is straight up about completely differentiating its two OSes, even though they probably have more in common under the hood than Windows 8 and RT do.
As a network administrator/system operator/analyst/jack of all, I want an x86 tablet please. Why? Because I need a windows tablet in the enterprise that I can manage like a computer.
RT is nice...for the consumer space...I guess. But I really want a windows tablet for the enterprise space please.
Absolutely right. Google's got lots of consumer level hardware on the market. Like the.... hmmm...
Why do you think that there's a better likelihood that a company that has never, to my knowledge, made a consumer gadget, will be able to make a better gadget than a company that has been making them for 20+ years?
Yes, and the ghost of Steve Jobs crafts every iPad with his spectral hands...
It's no secret that almost all consumer electronics are assembled in Asia. Why make a special point about Microsoft following the same practice?
Because, unlike pretty much all other OEMs, Apple has incredibly tight QA throughout the entire manufacturing chain. Ask anyone who has had to supply components to Apple.
So, essentially, you were correct: In a way, the ghost of Steve Jobs DOES craft every iPad with spectral hands.
So, while Apple (and a few others, NOT including MS) CAN get Asian CMs to produce a quality product like the iPad, the vast majority are simply interested in "cost reduction".
And that's where the cheepnis factor comes in with Asian Contract Manufacturers.
In this case, I'd wager they have an ODM relationship in place with some southeast asia company. It's possible they'll design it and OEM it out, but I'd guess ODM instead.
And since they didn't do anything other than say "It runs this CPU, and has this, this, this and this spec", the above statement doesn't exactly inspire confidence that this will be anything more than a rebranded Chinese POS, with their typical attention to fit and finish, overall build quality, and component "spec-headroom".
In other words, carefully engineered to just make it through the warranty-period. Period.
As the GP pointed out, if Google can buy Motorola and own the Xoom and the RAZR, what's wrong w/ Microsoft having its own tablet or phone?
Um, because they have a 100% failure record at anything more complicated than a mouse or keyboard?
Only difference will be Windows RT vs Android vs iOS, but that's a real Microsoft vs Google vs Apple differentiator.
It would a differentiator if it ran DOS 3.3; but that would be equally ignorant.
Particularly given that since they want to price it higher than either Apple or Google/Mot, chances are that no vendor would want to bat for them w/ such a market disadvantage. So Microsoft is probably pitching this themselves, hoping that their brand name will help sell it.
Bets on whether this will tank even more quickly than the KIN?
I hate the word "polish" in this context. when you read it you think it's talking about poland. I propose we spell it "pollish" to avoid any confusion. english is a living language!
So, we need to polish the wording of our Polish pole poll?
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I'm curious if the buyer was a technology enthousiast, Apple lover or simply someone making a future investment? With all the craze for Jobs, it feels like such an item would probably rise in value in the future.
I dunno; but I just hope there's another one JUST like that buyer when it comes time for me to sell MY WORKING APPLE 1
So a ProcTech Sol-20 should be going for over $100,000 as well, right?
While not as valuable as Apple 1s, IIRC, Sol-20s fetch a bit, too.
And Chuck Peddle and friends also ripped off about all of Motorola's silicon designs when they left Mot.
Remember the 6501? Remember the 6520?
I am a great fan of the 6502 and all Apple products, AND an owner of a WORKING Apple 1; but let's not revise history TOO much, eh?
I wonder why ASUS is the leader in computer reliability then and Apple comes in behind several other PC manufacturers.
Citation?
There are a few replicas available for those of us who can't afford a real Apple 1. The least expensive is Briel Computers' "Replica 1" which is not a cosmetic replica but more of a "work-alike" computer. Applefritter.com's Tom Owad wrote a book based on that kit. On the other extreme is Mike Willegal's "Mimeo 1" which is an extremely accurate reproduction. I know the people behind these kits/sites and they're all very hobby-centric.
Yeah. Mike Willeagal (creator of the Mimeo-1, and owner of the Apple 1 Registry site) even went to the trouble of creating a custom font for the silkscreen layer. I asked him if he X-Rayed the original board, and he said "No", and that he simply took a LOT of high-detail photos, and then went back and forth, printing out his board and laying it on a light table with the original.
I don't know much about the Replica 1; but it isn't a cold-copy of the original, like Mike's is. It's so close that I asked him if anyone has tried to auction one of his off AS an original. He said he deliberately put a marking on his board to prevent that from happening...
And yes, as an owner of an Apple 1 myself, it IS that close.
Woz says he didn't even know the symbolism of 666.
He's pretty a-religious; so I can believe that.
You realize that there are only SIX known operating Apple 1's, right? The production run was around 200. That means roughly 3% survived - the rest are either in a landfill, or non-operational. And who knows what condition they are in - for all we know, they could've had parts replaced (including capacitors).
Heck, the original Apple 1 hanging at 1 Infinite Loop might not even work anymore. (It's sitting in a plaque marked "Our Founder").
I think that one got sold, didn't it.
Oh, and it's SEVEN now. My one-owner Apple 1 still works, and it isn't in the Apple 1 Registry. Mike Willeagal (who runs the Apple 1 Registry site) says he can't figure out where Sotheby's came up with the "Six working" figure, except maybe they counted the ones on his site that mention that they have BEEN working.
Ahhh, I dream of the day that leaded solder is used again in electronics. Got to love brain-dead environmentalists who don't bother researching WHY some things are done the way they are.
Lead paint in kids toys? Yea, no good reason for that.
Lead solder in electronics? VERY VERY VERY GOOD F*****G REASONS FOR USING IT.
Any environmental savings is more than made up by the lowered reliability and shorter lifespans. Anyone who thinks lead-free solder has been a good idea is either ignorant of its problems or an idiot.
Yeah. And they didn't even replace it with some known-inert metal, either.
Twenty years from now, they'll be bitching about all the Bismuth and Indium leaching into the water table.
Mark my words. You heard it here, first!
I find it amazing that the three 2,400uF electrolytic capacitors are still working after 36 years! These capacitors slowly degrade over time--I wonder what their capacitance is today?
Mine still work. And the capacitance of those computer-grade caps stays pretty good, even after all this time.
Having said that, I still brought my Apple 1 up on a Variac, with all the chips removed, the last time I fired it up.
Imagine a.. wait, I can't. there's only 6 of them.
Seven, if you count mine.
This was an auction. *Every* person in the world, excluding just one, thought this items was worth less than the final offer.
According to one article I read, it eventually came down to two bidders; one online, and one on the phone. Phone guy won.
$105 832 based on today's close. So I guess the Apple 1 was still a good investment! (if you were one of the 5 people who managed to keep it functional for 30 years).
Six.
Mine works, too.
You think this is bad? Dell did the same to me, even though my machine has (came from factory with) 4GB of RAM! And the combination of their BIOS + drivers only allow 2.9 GB of usable RAM on the default OS (Win7 32-bit)! I've seen some posts saying that you're now allowed to install a Win7 64-bit with a key from 32-bit OS, but anyway you can't just upgrade a 32-bit installation to 64-bit (you have to reinstall).
I'm REALLY not trolling or flamebaiting; but I'd love to know why Apple can seamlessly integrate 32 and 64 bit "stuff" while running the same CPUs as other PC manufacturers; but with Windows at least, they can't even keep them in the same Applications folder (WTF is with the Program Files, and Program Files(x86), anyway?), and has to have two completely separate OSes to properly use 64 bit?
I mean, we're going to be caught between a 32 and 64 bit world for quite a bit; why cause all this pain for the user?
If they are about to buy Nokia at a fire sale price.
Yeah, after their butt-buddy corporate shill-at-large softened Nokia up for them.
Look, we can all see this will flop, but when it does, can this time the shareholders dump Ballmer?
No, no no! He's a GREAT CEO! I think he should be voted in as CEO-For-Life!
Signed - The Ghost of Steve Jobs
From the post: "...running the Win RT (ARM-based ) subset version of Win 8." Clearly implies Win RT is based on Win 8, but a subset, since you cannot run legacy Win apps and is missing many other full Win 8 features. Full Win8 is only available in x86 version.
This is like calling iOS OS X RT. Yeah, they share some roots; but they are fundamentally different OSes. MS is just hoping you'll be confused by the similarity on names and look of the Start screen (or whatever they call it) to THINK that this will be able to run all your legacy Windows apps.
Apple, OTOH, is straight up about completely differentiating its two OSes, even though they probably have more in common under the hood than Windows 8 and RT do.
As a network administrator/system operator/analyst/jack of all, I want an x86 tablet please. Why? Because I need a windows tablet in the enterprise that I can manage like a computer.
RT is nice...for the consumer space...I guess. But I really want a windows tablet for the enterprise space please.
You had about a DECADE to purchase an XP one.
Did you?
So why a Microsoft built tablet? Has Ballmer really gone chair throwing ape over Apples success?
Yes.
WOW!
Absolutely right. Google's got lots of consumer level hardware on the market. Like the.... hmmm... Why do you think that there's a better likelihood that a company that has never, to my knowledge, made a consumer gadget, will be able to make a better gadget than a company that has been making them for 20+ years?
HOW many X-Box returns???
Yes, and the ghost of Steve Jobs crafts every iPad with his spectral hands ...
It's no secret that almost all consumer electronics are assembled in Asia. Why make a special point about Microsoft following the same practice?
Because, unlike pretty much all other OEMs, Apple has incredibly tight QA throughout the entire manufacturing chain. Ask anyone who has had to supply components to Apple.
So, essentially, you were correct: In a way, the ghost of Steve Jobs DOES craft every iPad with spectral hands.
So, while Apple (and a few others, NOT including MS) CAN get Asian CMs to produce a quality product like the iPad, the vast majority are simply interested in "cost reduction".
And that's where the cheepnis factor comes in with Asian Contract Manufacturers.
In this case, I'd wager they have an ODM relationship in place with some southeast asia company. It's possible they'll design it and OEM it out, but I'd guess ODM instead.
And since they didn't do anything other than say "It runs this CPU, and has this, this, this and this spec", the above statement doesn't exactly inspire confidence that this will be anything more than a rebranded Chinese POS, with their typical attention to fit and finish, overall build quality, and component "spec-headroom".
In other words, carefully engineered to just make it through the warranty-period. Period.
Hence, I can't guess whether MS will win or lose on this.
I can...
As the GP pointed out, if Google can buy Motorola and own the Xoom and the RAZR, what's wrong w/ Microsoft having its own tablet or phone?
Um, because they have a 100% failure record at anything more complicated than a mouse or keyboard?
Only difference will be Windows RT vs Android vs iOS, but that's a real Microsoft vs Google vs Apple differentiator.
It would a differentiator if it ran DOS 3.3; but that would be equally ignorant.
Particularly given that since they want to price it higher than either Apple or Google/Mot, chances are that no vendor would want to bat for them w/ such a market disadvantage. So Microsoft is probably pitching this themselves, hoping that their brand name will help sell it.
Bets on whether this will tank even more quickly than the KIN?
Yeah, over there it's a well edited, properly moderated, fully functioning technology discussion website. It also has a goatee.
That was funny!
Goatee. Tee hee...
I hate the word "polish" in this context. when you read it you think it's talking about poland. I propose we spell it "pollish" to avoid any confusion. english is a living language!
So, we need to polish the wording of our Polish pole poll?