Rare Apple Lisa 1 Computer Hits Auction Block in Netherlands
Netherlands, Sunday, 11 May 2025.
A non-functional yet rare Apple Lisa 1, one of only about 100 left worldwide, is now up for auction, featuring original hardware despite its inability to start.
Historical Significance
The Apple Lisa 1, launched in 1983, marked a revolutionary milestone in computing history as the first personal computer featuring a mouse and graphical user interface [1]. At its launch, the computer commanded a staggering price of over €30,000 in today’s adjusted terms, leading to limited sales of approximately 10,000 units [1]. The Lisa’s significance in computing history is underscored by its pioneering role in user interface development, preceding the more commercially successful Macintosh [2].
Auction Details and Condition
Troostwijk Auctions in the Netherlands is currently offering this rare piece of computing history, complete with its original ‘Twiggy’ floppy drives, internal hardware, keyboard, and mouse, along with the original manuals [1]. While the unit maintains what the auction house describes as ‘nice cosmetic condition with only slight yellowing,’ it is notably non-functional and unable to boot up [1]. Previous Lisa 1 models have commanded significant prices at auction, with one example selling for over $800,000 [1], though this non-functional unit is expected to achieve a lower price [alert! ‘final price projection unavailable’].
Rarity and Preservation
The extreme rarity of the Lisa 1 is partly due to Apple’s aggressive trade-in program, where owners could exchange their Lisa 1 for the newer Lisa 2 or receive substantial discounts on the Macintosh Plus [1]. The returned units and unsold inventory were subsequently destroyed, contributing to the current estimate of only about 100 surviving Lisa 1 computers worldwide [1]. This auction represents a unique opportunity for collectors and computing history enthusiasts, particularly given its availability through a Dutch auction house [1].