The cost of computers has risen greatly throughout the years. When PCs were initially made available to customers for purchase over 30 years ago, they were huge machines that cost thousands of dollars apiece – the technology of the day was expensive to develop, and the cost of computers reflected that. Computer production got easier as time passed, technology improved, and owning a computer became much more inexpensive. Today, you can purchase a new PC or laptop for less than $300, but in the early days of computing, you couldn’t even obtain a display for that much.
However, certain models cost a lot of money because they have ridiculous technology or outrageously extravagant features. In the recent decade, a market has formed that caters to the rich and those who seek highly personalized PCs or laptops with decorations such as precious metals and rare jewels. Such PCs are comparable to or more expensive than early computers, with some costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here in this article, we are going to see the world’s most expensive computers ever created by humans and what makes them worth the price.
List of the World’s Most Famous Computers Ever Created
Item | Price |
---|---|
SAGE (SEMI-AUTOMATIC GROUND ENVIRONMENT) | $8-$12 billion |
MJ’S Swarovski & Diamond Studded Notebook | $3.5 million |
Luvaligo | $1 million |
Apple 1 Computer | $905,000 |
Apollo Guidance Computer | $746,000 |
Steve Jobs’s Original “Apple Computer A” Prototype | $677,196 |
MacBook Air Supreme | $500,000 |
Apple Lisa Computer | $94,949 |
SAGE (SEMI-AUTOMATIC GROUND ENVIRONMENT) $8-$12 billion
The SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) system was the most expensive computer ever built, as well as the largest (56 IBM AN/FSQ-7 computers over 20,000 square feet) and heaviest (250 tons). Construction began in the 1950s, with MIT and RAND supplying systems design and software, respectively, and was finished in 1963 at an estimated cost of $4-12 billion – in 1964 dollars; most estimates place the price around $8 billion. It has been operating for almost 20 years.
Although the SAGE computer had been decommissioned in 1984, it assisted the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in monitoring North American airspace for more than two decades (beginning in 1963). This system was critical throughout the Cold War, which ended in 1991. SAGE was huge in comparison to current computers. It took up a lot of room and was housed in a four-story structure. It also had multiple monitoring locations spread across the United States and Canada, allowing NORAD authorities to acquire a “big picture” of the sky above North America, allowing them to follow possible airborne threats (such as missiles) across a vast area. Read more about the most expensive domain names in the world.
Specification | Details |
Cost | $8-$12 billion |
Year of Construction | 1950s |
Completion Year | 1963 |
Components | 56 IBM AN/FSQ-7 computers |
Size | 20,000 square feet |
Weight | 250 tons |
Operational Years | Almost 20 years (1963-1984) |
Purpose | Monitoring North American airspace for NORAD |
MJ’S Swarovski & Diamond Studded Notebook -$3.5 million
It is the most recent addition to Ukrainian artist Studio MJ’s high technical accessory range. The expensive price tag reflects the cost of hundreds of white and black diamonds embedded throughout the laptop and mouse. This elegant laptop’s exterior is decorated with gold decorations, making it great for those who love to style and shine. The laptop also comes with a ten-year guarantee, which is great when someone spending this much fortune on a PC.
The MJ 777 edition vibrant range includes the Asus Lamborghini Platinum Crocodile, Acer Ferrari Gold Python, Sony Vaio BlackWood, ASUS Eepc VIP Swarovski, Tulip Ego Diamond, and other high-tech goods. Every notebook’s casing is beautifully decorated with gold, diamonds, and Swarovski crystals, giving its users with a high-end experience like no other. For the fashion-conscious, the series comprises leather, snake, and Croc skin edition sets that contain a notebook, a mouse, a tiny case, and a USB drive. Read more about the most expensive world most lavish and expensive TVs.
Specification | Details |
Cost | $3.5 million |
Designer | Ukrainian artist Studio MJ |
Materials | Hundreds of white and black diamonds, gold |
Warranty | 10-year guarantee |
Series | MJ 777 edition |
Other Models | Asus Lamborghini Platinum Crocodile, Acer Ferrari Gold Python, Sony Vaio BlackWood, ASUS Eepc VIP Swarovski, Tulip Ego Diamond |
Luvaligo -$1 million
This opulent laptop comes with 128 GB of storage and a 17-inch OLED screen with self-screening features. You are the only one who can use it because it features a Blu-ray disc reader and a fingerprint ignition. Luvaligo is the world’s first handmade laptop with a diamond power button. It is one of the most expensive since it is manufactured to order, including materials, specs, and designs.
The majority of this high price tag has no connection to performance in any manner, having been largely spent on details. For example, the power switch contains a highly rare diamond. However, if you want to acquire one, there will be a lot of worry and hassle. To get yours, you must be invited by the brand’s director, Rohan Sinclair. Also, it just has middling performance levels and a lot of bling, and that’s about it. Read more about the top 10 most expensive Bluetooth headphones in the world
Specification | Details |
Cost | $1 million |
Storage | 128 GB |
Screen | 17-inch OLED with self-screening features |
Security | Fingerprint ignition |
Unique Feature | Diamond power button |
Manufacturer | Handmade, manufactured to order |
Invitation Requirement | Invited by the brand’s director, Rohan Sinclair |
Performance | Middling with luxurious details |
Apple 1 Computer – $905,000
Apple 1 Computer, commonly known as the Apple 1 Motherboard. This green piece of fiberglass might be the very first Apple computer, serving as a prototype for the eventual Apple 1. Although it is effectively simply an exposed section of the motherboard, it does provide connection ports for connecting a keyboard and monitor. This piece of cutting-edge technology (at the time, cutting-edge) sold for $905,000 at a Bonhams auction in 2014, making it the most expensive Apple computer in the world. This prototype-like motherboard is a relic of the past. Because of its historical significance, it is irreplaceable and extremely expensive, as seen by its over $1 million auction price. Read more about the world most expensive headphones ever.
Specification | Details |
Selling Price | $905,000 |
Type | Apple 1 Motherboard |
Significance | Prototype for the eventual Apple 1 |
Connectivity | Keyboard and monitor ports |
Auction Year | 2014 |
Auction House | Bonhams |
Apollo Guidance Computer –$746,000
When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin arrived on the moon’s surface in 1969, it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment in human history. This achievement, however, would not have been possible without the assistance of a strong onboard computer, such as the Apollo Guidance Computer.
This multi-module digital computer assisted astronauts and mission control in navigating the Apollo spacecraft through space and onto the moon’s surface. While this sort of computer would not appeal to the ordinary computer user today (it had a calculator-like interface and display screen), it was critical to NASA’s capacity to send men to the moon and back. The Apollo Guidance Computer sold at a Sotheby’s auction in 2021 for a whopping $746,000 to the winning bidder. Its original maximum expected sales price was $300,000, so it sold for more than double that amount!
Specification | Details |
Selling Price | $746,000 |
Usage | Assisted Apollo spacecraft navigation |
Significance | Critical for the moon landing in 1969 |
Auction Year | 2021 |
Auction House | Sotheby’s |
Steve Jobs’s Original “Apple Computer A” Prototype –$677,196
Throughout most of the 1990s, Apple computers were significantly less popular than their Windows rivals. Everything changed, however, when Steve Jobs introduced the initial iPod and iPhone models. Since then, Apple has emerged as the primary challenger to Windows-based devices, despite the fact that their products are more expensive than those running Windows.
Nonetheless, the history of Apple PCs and consumer-friendly gadgets predates the 1990s. In reality, in the mid-1970s, Steve Jobs and his associate Steve Wozniak began developing prototype computers! When the “Apple Computer A” Prototype went up for sale in 2022, it sold for $677,196. Even though this prototype is only a sliver of a motherboard, its historical importance makes it worth a modest fortune. Jobs and Wozniak might not have created the first consumer-friendly Apple PCs if this prototype had not been created.
Specification | Details |
Selling Price | $677,196 |
Year of Sale | 2022 |
Type | Prototype of Apple Computer A |
Significance | Historical importance for Apple’s early development |
Auction House | Not specified |
MacBook Air Supreme $500,000
Apple goods are among the most expensive in the world, and luxury manufacturers are pushing the price even higher. Not just iPhones and iPads, but even Macbook computers, have received the luxury treatment. This massive 7kg device will be one of the premium laptops in 2022. There are just five units available on the planet. It features a platinum-coated surface, an aluminum casing that has been machined, and a thin light construction. It is equipped with an Intel Core i5 CPU. This unusual laptop has combined the delicate beauty and grace of platinum, resulting in an incredible work of art.
Specification | Details |
Cost | $500,000 |
Weight | 7kg |
Material | Platinum-coated surface, machined aluminum casing |
Features | Intel Core i5 CPU |
Rarity | Only five units available globally |
Apple Lisa Computer –$94,949
The Apple Lisa was the company’s first consumer computer that was freely accessible. Unlike prior consumer-friendly computers, which needed users to enter a sequence of typewritten commands, the Apple Lisa included icons that could be selected using a computer mouse!
Unfortunately, many Apple Lisa computers introduced in 1983 are no longer functional due to age and use. However, the one that sold for $94,949 in 2021 was still in working order. It was originally owned by Roger Wagner (a former Apple software designer)! It’s also an unusual variation of the Apple Lisa, as it has two floppy disk drives on the right side of the computer, adjacent to the monitor screen (known as the Twiggy configuration). Although this early Apple PC was not one of the company’s most successful products, it remains an iconic part of Apple’s history.
Specification | Details |
Selling Price | $94,949 |
Year of Sale | 2021 |
Condition | Still in working order |
Original Owner | Roger Wagner (former Apple software designer) |
Unique Feature | Two floppy disk drives (Twiggy configuration) |
Final Notice
The most expensive computers ever developed represent the peak of innovation, power, and luxury in the area of cutting-edge technology. The high prices they carry represent not only the cutting-edge technology and software they include but also the high level of exclusivity and workmanship involved in their production.
As we get into the domain of the most costly computers, we see a blend of unmatched performance, elegant design, and new a great story behind it.
Read more Expensive Real Estate & Properties