'Woz' wants $100,000 for Mac 128K prototype
Early integrated 5.25in drive included
A functional Macintosh 128k prototype has been put up for sale on eBay, complete with rare "Twiggy" 5.25in floppy drive, original keyboard, mouse and power lead.
The only non-authentic thing here is that the seller, who calls himself 'Woz', isn't actually Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak - a fact he's happy to highlight - but an eBay user from Canada attempting to squeeze $100,000 (£62,750) or more from the pocket of an eager fanboy.
The prototype, which was created in advance of the computer's debut in January 1984, was acquired in a complete state and was not pieced together, 'Woz' claims. Several shots show casing signed by the original Mac team, parts clad with the scarce Mr. Macintosh icon and the original Apple keyboard prototype.
Its most unique feature is the Twiggy drive, though, as few still exist today, let alone one implemented in an early Mac.
The 5.25in, 871KB format, brought over from the Apple Lisa, was mooted for the Macintosh too, but due to a higher error rate with the drive, the budding company turned attentions to Sony's 3.5in version, which was added late to the design in 1983.
If you fancy getting your mitts on this early Apple prototype, reach into those deep pockets and place a bid. Aside from slight discolouring due to light exposure, the computer's in good nick. It has had no offers yet, though. ®
COMMENTS
Not suprised....
Not suprised nobody has bid on it, he's taken the cover off; that's the warranty voided right there!
Seller
Perhaps he should have used the nomme-de-plume "woz not woz".
Re: 'Wrong way round'
You mean Apple made something prone to "holding it wrong" errors back then too?
'Wrong way round'
No, it's a Twiggy disk -- the label goes down the side, and there's a media window on both sides of the spindle. Doesn't actually look much like the 5.25" disks we're used to.
Re: ...hmmm
Although he seems to have stuck his floppy in the wrong way round.
