Apple is a fascinating company with a rich history, and thanks to an upcoming auction next month, some lucky fans will be able to own rare prototypes of its devices. In 2021, it's safe to say that Apple's one of the most influential brands in the consumer tech space. It used the Macintosh to bring personal computers to everyone, the iPod revolutionized portable audio players in the early 2000s, and the iPhone is largely responsible for why smartphones look and feel the way they do to this very day.
As with any big company like Apple, mega-fans and collectors are always looking for rare relics. Back in January, an original Apple 1 computer built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak was selling for a cool $1.5 million. This past July, a job application written by an 18-year-old Jobs sold for $343,000. These items certainly aren't for everyone, but it's always fascinating to see which items are dug up and how much cash they rake in.
For anyone looking to get rare Apple collectibles for themselves, a few opportunities are opening on November 3. On that date, auction site Bonhams is auctioning three Apple prototypes for sizable amounts of money. The first item — and the most interesting — is a prototype of the Apple VideoPad 2. The VideoPad was intended to be an extension of the MessagePad PDA Apple sold between 1993 and 1998. The device was envisioned as having two displays, a built-in camera for video calls, and a fold-up design for easy portability. Apple created three VideoPad prototypes between 1993 and 1995 but ultimately decided to scrap the product. Bonhams says this is the "only surviving concept prototype of the VideoPad." Despite the missing top screen, it appears to be in excellent condition.
In addition to the VideoPad, Bonhams is also auctioning a prototype of the Apple Macintosh — the computer Wozniak says, "changed our lives forever." This particular prototype was created in 1982 (two years before the computer went on sale) and is said to be "the earliest known Macintosh to appear at auction" Jumping ahead a few years in Apple history, the third prototype being auctioned is an early version of the first-generation iPad. This prototype has just 2GB of storage (the final version had 16GB), no FCC information anywhere on it, and is running Apple's in-house Switchboard OS that it uses for device testing. As Bonhams puts it, this iPad is "a great rarity on the market."
Folks who are serious about getting any of these prototypes will need to spend a fair amount of cash. The VideoPad and iPad prototypes are estimated to sell between $8,000 and $12,000. If someone wants the Macintosh prototype, it's estimated to earn between $30,000 and $40,000. Time to get those wallets ready!
Source: Bonhams (1), (2), (3)
from ScreenRant - Feed https://ift.tt/3EeQwsr
0 Comments