Leopard spurring Mac sales to new highs

Adding to the already swelling analyst enthusiasm over Apple's current and future financial prospects, ChangeWave is predicting that Leopard is making consumers more likely to buy Macs now and in the near future, leading to optimistic sales forecasts. "Apple computer sales continue to show strong consumer momentum. Not only is Apple maintaining the highest satisfaction levels among all manufacturers, but consumer purchases over the next 90 days look exceptionally robust." According to the company's survey data, nearly one-in-four respondents (24 percent) say that the release of Apple's new Leopard operating system makes them more likely to buy a Mac in the future.

The company says that on the corporate front, Macintosh purchases also appear set to reach new highs. "Over the next 90 days, Mac laptop and desktop sales to consumers will remain the biggest growth story in the PC industry -- driven in part by the new Leopard operating system. Moreover, Apple's corporate market share is increasing as well."

Research firm Goldman Sachs is also predicting strong holiday sales for Apple's iPods and Macs, and remains confident about the Cupertino-based company's forthcoming products in 2008. Goldman analyst David Bailey foresees the new iPhone arriving in the second half of 2008, with a smaller upgrade and more flash memory surfacing earlier in the year.

Filed under: Investor, enterprise, Apple
Other story tags: Leopard, finance, Mac sales