Report: iMac Topped August Computer Sales

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September 09, 1998 (12:00 AM EDT)

By Mark Harrington,

Preliminary data from market research firm PC Data indicates that Apple's iMac took the No. 1 spot in retail computer sales for August.

While final sales figures haven't been tallied, the projection that iMac was the top seller is notable, because the $1,200 Apple product shipped on August 15, and reached the top ranking with only 15 days of sales.

Not only does the iMac appear to be August's No. 1 seller at retail, it may break an all-time record for sales since PC Data began tracking the category, said PC hardware analyst Stephen Baker, in an interview with Computer Retail Week Wednesday.

"It's going to be close," Baker said. "The only thing that comes close is Compaq's Presario 4505's sales last Christmas."

The iMac began selling in mid-August at national superstores Micro Center and CompUSA, and through a limited network of regional Mac retailers. CompUSA has already reported that iMac topped its list of best computer-product sales for a single day ever.

Baker said iMac is likely to continue with strong sales through September. The true test for Apple (company profile), he added, will be how long it can sustain that momentum.