roddenberrymacintoshplus.jpgBy Michael Santo
Editor-in-Chief, RealTechNews

The website Profiles in History has announced that it will be auctioning off the very first Apple Macintosh Plus computer, one that was given to Gene Roddenberry as a gift by the company. The full serial number of the computer is F4200NUM0001.

Here’s how the item is described:

This is the very first Macintosh Plus 1Mb personal computer to come off the assembly line at Apple Computer in Fresno, California. It was presented to Gene Roddenberry as a gift by Apple Computer, Inc. and bears the serial number F4200NUM0001. The Macintosh Plus was a revelation among personal computers when it came on the market in 1986. With 1 Mb RAM (upgradeable to 4Mb), it supported the double-sided floppy disk format and was the first Mac with a SCSI port for fast data transfer to and from an external hard drive. The Macintosh was the first mass produced computer to utilize the mouse and the Macintosh Plus was the longest-lived Macintosh with production until 1990. It features the beige-colored case with 9 in. display, 3.5 in. floppy drive and includes the short keyboard, external floppy drive, mouse and Apple logo padded carrying case. An incredible artifact with a wonderful association between the visionary computer designer/manufacturer and legendary Star Trek creator. Accompanied by a signed letter of provenance from Gene Roddenberry’s son, Rod.

Now that’s some power, right? Of course, it was released in 1986.

  • 3.5 inch floppy
  • 1 MB of RAM (read carefully, not GB, MB)
  • external hard drive
  • at least it has a mouse

All right, all snarkiness aside, it belonged to Gene Roddenberry, and it was the first Macintosh Plus. Opening bid is $800; the actual live auction for what is called “Hollywood Auction 37″ (which includes the full lot of items) is scheduled for Oct. 8th – 9th at 12 PM PDT. You can bid now, via the website, as an absentee bidder, if you would like.