Apple Mac Sales Surging
Updated from 10:34 a.m. EDT
iPhone fever may have obscured the robust growth in
Apple's
(AAPL) - Get Report
Macs.
People familiar with the company say Apple is selling computers at a blockbuster pace. The Cupertino, Calif., company is expected to sell 2.35 million iMacs and MacBooks this quarter,
TheStreet.com
has learned.
A sales number that high would beat analysts' estimates by nearly 400,000 units. Pegging the average Mac sales price at a conservative $1,500, a beat of that magnitude stands to boost Apple's top line by about $600 million. Analysts expect the company to post fiscal first-quarter revenue of $5.94 billion.
The popularity of Apple's computer lineup has been fueled by a robust back-to-school buying spree and a revamped iMac roster, say industry watchers.
Apple has about 3% of the world's computer market share, but it has gained ground as larger rivals like
Hewlett-Packard
(HPQ) - Get Report
and
Dell
(DELL) - Get Report
try to revive sluggish sales.
Apple's strong growth prospects and its marketing and design cachet have earned the company a significant premium to many of its tech peers. Apple's market cap is $122 billion -- twice that of Dell, even though Dell's sales are around three times Apple's.
Want more? Check out TheStreet.com TV video.Scott Moritz takes a closer look. |
Looking ahead, people inside the company and those close to Apple's plans say there will be a big announcement regarding a so-called subnotebook Mac. The ultra-thin device will have a 10-inch to 12-inch screen; sleek, rounded edges; and weigh less than 2 pounds.
The subnotebook's introduction is planned for next quarter, and the product is expected to be available for the holiday sales season. In preparation for a big year-end sales push, Apple has told some employees to cancel vacation plans "between Thanksgiving and Christmas," says one source familiar with the memo.
Apple shares rose $3.19, or 2.3%, to $143.50 Friday afternoon.