One of the world's first personal computers is up for sale

[wraggster]

Many people don't know the history of the Kenbak-1 Digital Computer (http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/20/time-machines-a-pc-pioneer/), but it's considered to be the world's first commercially available personal computer -- and one is going up for sale in just a few minutes. John Blankenbaker introduced the $750 machine in 1971 -- years ahead of the more well knownAltair 8800 (http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/02/dr-henry-edward-roberts-personal-computing-pioneer-loses-batt/) and Apple I (http://www.engadget.com/tag/appleI/), but after the Datapoint 2200 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datapoint_2200) -- hoping to sell it to schools as a way to introduce people to computer programming. It didn't have a microprocessor at all, and contained only 256 bytes (you read that correctly) of RAM. No more than 50 units were ever made, although a few have been popping up for sale in the last few years. One recently sold for about $31k (https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22964/lot/76/), and another model is going on sale via German auctioneer Breker (http://www.breker.com/english/index.htm) within the hour. It's certainly a piece of history, but if that's a little too rich for your blood, then hide your credit card details and just read our Time Machines article (http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/20/time-machines-a-pc-pioneer/) to catch up on the history of this groundbreaking device.

http://www.engadget.com/2015/11/07/kenbak-1-auction/