Rare working Apple-1 from first Byte Shop batch heads to auction

An Apple-1 computer bought new from the Byte Shop in Berkeley, California, in 1976 is heading to auction at Sotheby’s in New York.

The operational machine is part of the auction house’s “Geek Week” sales and is expected to fetch between $300,000 and $500,000 when the live auction begins on July 15.

Designed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, the Apple-1 was Apple's first product and helped move personal computing beyond hobbyist circles by pairing a circuit board with a keyboard and video display.

This example comes from the first batch of 50 units ordered by Byte Shop owner Paul Terrell, who wanted the computers delivered fully assembled.

Camera: Andrew Hofstetter; Production, Writing, Editing: Roselle Chen/Reuters