Apple product sales were higher than ever last quarter, ranking the company as one of the top five PC vendors for the first time, the International Data Corporation reported.
The IDC estimates that Apple computer sales were up 8.9% globally during the third quarter of 2014, perhaps its strongest market share yet. Translating to about 5 million total units sold, it was enough of a boost for Apple to knock Asus out of the number five spot.
While Apple has long been one of the top five computer manufacturers in the United States—domestically, it is the third top PC vendor—cheaper prices from competitors have made it a less popular choice on a global scale.
Of course, this is all based on IDC’s estimate, which includes Chromebooks but not hybrid devices. Competing analytics firm Gartner lists Asus in the fifth position in its top 5 list of global PC vendors, in which Apple has yet to place. Electronista points out that Gartner includes Windows 8 hybrids but not Chromebooks. Apple will reveal its exact numbers during a Q3 earnings call on October 20. The company sold 4.6 million computers during Q3 in 2013.
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