Legendary Apple-1 Hatfield Computer Heads Back to Auction

One of the few remaining functional Apple-1 computers is preparing for another trip to the Bonhams auction block. The unit, known as the “Hatfield,” features a signature from Steve Wozniak, has remained functional for decades, and previously sold for $671,400. This time, the collector will also receive a letter from Steve Jobs detailing the history of the device’s original owner.

The Story and Features of the Apple-1 Hatfield

The computer’s name is tied to its original owner, Fred Hatfield, who purchased the device during Apple’s founding year. In the official Apple-1 registry, the machine is listed as unit number 48. A significant highlight of this specific lot is the signature from Steve Wozniak, Apple co-founder and the lead engineer who developed the architecture. Notably, the unit has remained in working condition for decades.

Apple-1 Specifications

By modern standards, the Apple-1 was an incredibly simple and Spartan device. It lacked standard accessories: to use it, the owner had to provide their own power supply, source or build a keyboard, and connect a monitor. The system was equipped with only 4 KB of RAM.

Expected Value

Auction house Bonhams estimates the final sale price will range between $500,000 and $800,000. For comparison, the original retail price in the 1970s was $666.66.

Historical Documents and Personal History

Along with the computer, the winning bidder will receive a unique historical document: a letter signed by Steve Jobs. In 1978, Fred Hatfield wrote to Apple complaining about the lack of software for the system. In response, Jobs offered a trade-in: return the computer without memory and pay an additional $400 to receive an Apple II 4K. Hatfield declined, choosing to keep his original Apple-1.

Pre-Auction Exhibition Tour

Before the hammer falls in New York this October, Bonhams is hosting a series of exhibitions for collectors across the United States:

• Los Angeles: September 9–11.
• Boston: September 21–23.
• San Francisco: September 30 – October 1.

Market Rarity

Today, the Apple-1 feels like a museum piece—four kilobytes of memory, an external monitor, a custom-built keyboard, and the need to essentially construct a working system around a small circuit board. Yet, its historical value lies in that very simplicity. The “Hatfield” retains not only the remnants of Apple’s early years but also the personal story of a man who chose not to trade his computer for a more advanced Apple II. Now, decades later, that decision has turned the aging machine into a prized trophy for collectors. The six-figure price tag reflects not its technical specs, but the journey the Apple-1 has taken from an experimental hobbyist kit to a symbol of the birth of the modern computing industry.