Ancient Apple computer sells for $374K

20 hrs.

Wilson Rothman

Sotheby's just auctioned off an operational Apple I motherboard and some accompanying material for?$374,500, after listing it with an estimated price of $120,000 to $180,000. The monitor, keyboard and cassette interface were sold separately, way back in 1976, but this isn't exactly?a bargain bundle.

So why so precious??Though "fewer than 50" Apple I computers survive, says Sotheby's, only six are known to be in working condition.?The buyer's name was not reported, but he's either really rich or really nerdy ... or both. Our hats are off to him. (And let's face it, you know it's a "him.")

More on the Apple I in our Thursday post.

Wilson Rothman is the Technology & Science section?editor at msnbc.com. Catch up with him on Twitter at?@wjrothman, and?join our conversation on Facebook.

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