A recent report from market research firm Canalys noted that Apple is poised to become the world’s number one PC manufacturer by mid-2012 (if you include tablet sales). Tim Coulling of Canalys stated that:
Apple has seen its PC market share expand from 9 percent to 15 percent in just four quarters, though iPad shipments in its core market – the United States – are likely to come under pressure in Q4 due to the launch of the Fire and Nook at extremely competitive price points.
Apple currently sits at #2 (with 15 percent market share) behind Hewlett Packard, who hold 16 percent market share. With the release of the iPad 3 pegged for Summer 2012 as well as a major Macbook Pro refresh on the horizon, Apple is expected to overtake HP by the second half of next year.