Apple's Future Looks Bright

But it's in the company's fourth quarter ending Sept. 30 -- and its holiday-related first quarter -- that investors are likely to get really excited, says Dator.

"The September quarter will be the first full quarter with the iPhone on sale, and that could be a very big number, and December will be almost a full quarter with the Leopard operating system being on sale -- and that could help boost Christmas sales," he says.

Until then, the company may be able to satisfy investors by keeping the iPod juggernaut going while beating its own conservative expectations.