Sales Surge for Tech's Big Hitters

The recession is fast disappearing in the rearview mirror, if recent results from Apple(AAPL), Google(GOOG) and Amazon(AMZN) are anything to go by.

Apple

Part company, part technology cult, Apple grew its revenue by a whopping 25% during its recent fourth-quarter, boosted by strong Mac and iPhone sales.

The consumer tech giant blew past analysts' estimates, further cementing its reputation as one of tech's biggest hitters.

Despite recent stumbles from gadget makers Nokia(NOK), Research In Motion(RIMM) and Palm(PALM), Apple has successfully side-stepped the recession and is well-positioned for the holiday season.

The empire of fruit has carefully carved out its brand in recent years, somehow turning technology into a lifestyle statement. Demand for Apple's clean lines and edgy design aesthetic show no signs of slowing down, as evidenced by the iPhone's ongoing popularity.

During the fourth quarter, Apple sold almost 7.4 million handsets, a 7% increase on the same period last year. Crucially, however, the firm maintained an average selling price of $600, well above the $530 estimated by analyst firm Broadpoint AmTech. Blackberry-maker RIM, in contrast, sold its devices for an average of $325 during its most recent quarter, a figure that is expected to drop to $320.

"In our view, Apple is the best technology company on the planet, with numerous catalysts on the horizon," wrote Broadpoint AmTech analyst Brian Marshall, in a recent note. The global iPhone ramp is still in its early stages, he added, explaining that China is still an untapped market.