A prototype of Apple’s first Macintosh Portable has turned up on eBay, and according to the auction listing, it is a prototype of the Macintosh Portable which was not intended for sale.
It is currently listed on the auction site with a starting bid of $1,750, although the listing hasn’t had any bids as yet. I guess all those Apple collectors are busy with Christmas.
It seems it doesn’t actually power up either, as there is a problem with the battery. We wonder if anyone will actually bid on it as the starting price does seem a little high.
The Significance of the Macintosh Portable
The Macintosh Portable, released in 1989, was Apple’s first attempt at creating a truly portable computer. It was a significant milestone in the evolution of laptops, even though it was not a commercial success. The device featured a 9.8-inch active matrix LCD screen, which was quite advanced for its time. It also came with a full-sized keyboard and a trackball, which could be removed and placed on either side of the keyboard, catering to both left and right-handed users.
Despite its innovative features, the Macintosh Portable had several drawbacks. It weighed a hefty 16 pounds, making it less portable than intended. Additionally, its high price tag of $6,500 (equivalent to over $13,000 today) made it inaccessible to many consumers. The battery life was another issue; although it was advertised to last up to 10 hours, real-world usage often fell short of this claim.
Why Collectors Might Be Interested
Collectors of vintage Apple products are often driven by a passion for the company’s history and its groundbreaking innovations. Owning a prototype of the Macintosh Portable would be akin to owning a piece of tech history. Prototypes are particularly valuable because they offer a glimpse into the development process and often feature unique design elements that never made it to the final product.
For example, this particular prototype might have different internal components or a unique casing that sets it apart from the production models. Such differences can make prototypes highly sought after by collectors. However, the fact that this unit doesn’t power up could be a significant drawback. Restoring it to working condition might require specialized knowledge and parts that are hard to come by.
The high starting bid of $1,750 reflects its rarity and historical significance, but it also poses a risk for potential buyers. Without the ability to power it up, there’s no way to verify the condition of its internal components. This uncertainty might be why the listing hasn’t received any bids yet.
9 to 5 Mac via Slashgear
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