Apple’s quarterly results announced yesterday set a new record for the company, but not owing to the iPhone. Rather, the company shipped 1.76 million Mac computers, representing a 33 percent jump from a year ago and pushing Apple’s share of the PC market up to three percent. Even though cumulative sales of the iPhone have met estimates, the company had only two days of sales to book in the third quarter, so the real financial impact of the device will begin showing this next quarter. From a brand perspective, however, the stellar Mac results may be a leading indicator of more record-breaking performance to come. Bloomberg has an interesting article by Connie Guglielmo touching on the Mac’s role in the “Apple ownership experience” and its affect on future performance:
New laptop models with faster chips fueled a 33 percent jump in Macintosh computer shipments. Apple also sold 270,000 iPhones after the device went on sale June 29, 30 hours before the quarter ended, easing concerns that it might be a disappointment. Sales of Apple’s iPod media player topped estimates as well.
“The iPod and iPhone all bring people into the Apple ownership experience and make them curious about the Mac,” said Stephen Coleman, chief investment officer at St. Louis-based Daedalus Capital, which began buying Apple’s shares in February 2004. “As long as you see Mac sales rising, things are good.”
In other words, Mac owners are likely deep into the Apple experience, “locked in,” you could say. More Mac owners suggests more long-term Apple customers. (As a footnote, it seems that the iPhone hasn’t yet cannibalized iPod sales. Shipments of the media player rose 21 percent to reach 9.82 million, but it wouldn’t be surprising if iPod sales do indeed dwindle as the iPhone penetrates further.)
