Rare Macintosh prototype with proprietary Apple drive set for record-breaking sale

An extremely rare early prototype of the first Macintosh is coming up for auction later this month. Here’s what makes it so special.

This Macintosh prototype, #M0001, is a 1983 build featuring a proprietary Apple ”Twiggy” disk drive. Apple quickly abandoned its ‘Twiggy’ design due to performance issues, and adopted a Sony drive instead.

This is one of only two known surviving models with that proprietary drive.

It’s unsurprisingly expected to smash sales records when it goes up for auction soon. The last such sale for this design happened in 2019. It set a historic record with its $150,075 selling price. But this latest sale is expected to go even higher.

Bonhams is managing the auction of the #M0001 prototype and outlines the product’s features here.

Macintosh Personal Computer, Apple Computers Inc, Cupertino, CA, [1983], with 5-1/4 inch “Twiggy” disk drive with corresponding slot in front panel, prototype mouse, prototype keyboard. Includes logic board 820-0086-00, copyrighted 1983, featuring Jean-Michel Folon “Mac Man” (Mr. Macintosh) on the edge, with 512 EPROM Adapter board also featuring “Mac Man,” contained in pre-production plastic molded case, 330 x 245 x 250 mm, with smooth plastic front panel and with textured plastic case that bears Macintosh team signature molded to interior, but with only Apple logo on back panel and with Apple logo and Macintosh logo in reversed locations as seen only on prototypes, 3 of 4 Trend Plastics rubber feet with Apple logo. Includes prototype keyboard that bears handwritten serial number on label on lower panel and 3 of 4 Trend Plastics rubber feet with Apple logo; prototype M01000 mouse that bears serial number label, but with prototype connector. includes dual density “Twiggy” diskette labeled “Mac Word.”

It’s remarkable that only two “Twiggy” models of the Macintosh are known to still be around. And as this model’s sticker tag shows, being model M0001 is even more impressive.

It won’t be surprising at all if the auction ends much higher than the previous $150,000 record.

Photo Credit: Bonhams