Apple"s market share growth rose by 24% on previous year-on-year sales for Q3 2010. This places the company as the number three PC maker in the United States according to research firm IDC.
Apple jumped infront of Acer who flat lined on shipments this third quarter. The company, run by CEO Steve Jobs, recently saw its share price rise to $300 for the first time in its history in the lead up to the Q4 - 2010 financial results, due to be published on Monday 18 October. Apple is estimated to have shipped around two million Macs over the summer. Strong iPad sales have also contributed to a large increase in Mac shipments after what some believe is a "halo effect".
Gartner, a rival research firm, also reported that Apple has closed the gap between itself and the Taiwan based PC builder - Acer. Gartner figures suggest that Acer now commands 10.5% of the U.S. market and Apple at 10.4%. Both firms reported worldwide sales too but Apple failed to enter the top six worldwide. Gartner said that worldwide PC sales were significantly lower than their expectations. Some analysts believe that this is proof the iPad is now eating away at traditional Netbook sales.
Apple is expected to unveil its future OS X update at a press briefing next week. The company sent press invites to the media today inviting them to an event on October 20. The event is exactly two days after the company will unveil its latest financial results and the invite suggests that Apple will focus on the Mac next week.