The Most Collectible PCs of All Time

Is that computer in your attic a treasure...or trash? Here's the scoop on 19 historic digital antiques, worth from $10 to $10,000 and beyond.

Harry McCracken

All Images
Related Articles

Micral-N (R2E, 1973). Estimated units sold: about 2000; original price: 8500 French francs (about $1300); current market value: at least $5000 to $10,000 14 of 19

Americans may lay claim to having invented the personal computer, but France's Micral-N was the first true microcomputer to be sold as a fully assembled system rather than a kit. Running Intel's 8008 CPU, the Micral-N was programmed by Philippe Kahn, who later emigrated to Silicon Valley and founded 1980s software powerhouse Borland. Most of the small number of Micrals that were sold ended up being used in vertical applications in Europe, making the likelihood that you'll ever come across one for sale even smaller. (Photo from Wikipedia.)