Edible Apple

With the iPhone now accounting for the bulk of Apple’s profits, it’s easy to forget that the Mac keeps on trudging along, slowly and methodically raking in billions and increasing its share of the broader PC market.

Buoyed by the popularity of its notebooks, AppleInsider relays a research report from analyst Gene Munster who anticipates record breaking Mac sales this quarter to the tune of 5.1-5.3 million units. Wall St., for what it’s worth, expects Mac sales of 5.2 million Macs.

Munster’s calculations are based, in part, upon recently released data from the NPD group which found that Mac sales during October were up 19% year over year. And as we’re about to enter the busiest shopping season of the year, Munster believes Mac sales will reach all-time highs.

During Apple’s most recent quarter, it recorded sales of 4.89 million Macs, setting a new quarterly record in the process. Undoubtedly, the busy back to school shopping rush attributed greatly to those sales figures.

Should Munster’s December quarter estimates ring true, Apple’s Mac sales this quarter will represent year over year growth of anywhere from 23% to 28%.

Things aren’t looking so rosy for the iPod however. Sales of Apple’s lineup of MP3 players appear to be down 20% year over year as consumers are increasingly using their smartphones as music players as opopsed to toting around dedicated MP3 players.

Indeed, the decline of the iPod and subsequent rise of the iPhone demonstrates Apple’s unique ability to continue innovating and cannibalize its own business to great success while reaching even greater heights. Whereas most companies ride a hit product to the bitter end and let other companies pass them by with newer innovations, Apple never got drunk on its iPod success and had the self-awareness to prepare for a world where the iPod would become a commodity.

via AppleInsider