One of the few surviving Apple I units, signed by Steve Wozniak and accompanied by a letter from Steve Jobs, just sold for a record-breaking $1.15 million.
The value of the Apple I as a collector's item has increased significantly over the past decade, with one example selling for nearly $500,000, more than the predicted $300,000. The famous "Hatfield" Apple I serves as an even better example of the model's appreciation over time.
Decades after original owner Fred Hatfield bought his Apple I, which was priced at $666.60 at the time, the machine was sold at an online auction. In 2013, European auction house Breker sold the "Hatfield" Apple I for approximately $666,150.
Then, after an apparent tour of the United States in September 2026, the "Hatfield" Apple I sold for $1.15 million at a Bonhams auction. That's the highest price an Apple I has reached to date. The auction only lasted 28 minutes and ended up being a competition between just two bidders.
"We are delighted with this exceptional result for the 'Hatfield' Apple I, one of the most important milestones in computing history," said Ian Ehling, Director of Fine Books & Manuscripts, North America, Bonhams, in a statement to AppleInsider.
"It was an honor to offer Apple's first product during the company's 50th anniversary year," he continued. Ehling describes the "Hatfield" Apple I as "one of the most significant Apple I computers ever to come to market, and the spirited competition it attracted is a testament to its rarity and enduring appeal."
The well-known "Hatfield" Apple I, designated as #48 in the Apple I registry, is somewhat of a special computer. Its motherboard was signed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. It also came with a letter from Steve Jobs, encouraging Fred Hatfield to trade in his computer and $400 for an Apple II motherboard.
As impressive as all of that may be, the well-known "Hatfield" Apple I is not the only such computer signed by Steve Wozniak. In 2022, Wozniak signed a restored Apple I, with his signature on the CPU rather than the motherboard itself. It sold for $340,100.
Over the years, other Apple I computers, both working and non-functional, have reached prices ranging from approximately $300,000 to $500,000. One unit sold in March 2025 for $375,000, while another reached $475,000 in September of the same year.
Of course, it makes sense that something as significant as an Apple I is worth so much to collectors. As its name implies, the Apple I is the first computer ever made by Apple. It was designed in 1976 by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Had it not been for the Apple I, the modern-day Mac might never have existed.
