Apple Computer Inc’s share price peaked near a three-year high after the consumer-targeted iMac enjoyed a sellout retail launch. Apple shares closed at $41.94 on Nasdaq. The company said last week that it had 150,000 pre-orders for the iMac, the most ever for an Apple product. The turquoise computers hit stores on the weekend to an apparently rapturous reception. Reuters quoted ComputerWare vice president of marketing Paul Ramirez as saying his company sold 600 iMacs over the weekend, including pre-paid back orders. It’s Christmas, plus 60% in August. That is totally insane, Ramirez said. Early indications suggest Apple’s marketing may be drawing both new users and PC fans, not just the Macintosh faithful that analysts had predicted would buy the box.
