Apple sold 3.8 million Macs, off last quarter's 4.1 million but 28% more than the same quarter in 2010. This was the first quarter in the last six that Apple did not set a new Mac sales record, but the 20th consecutive quarter it beat the computer industry average growth rate.

Last week, IDC and Gartner estimated that global industry sales and 1.1%, respectively.

"The Mac is kicking butt in the PC world," Gottheil said.

Oppenheimer credited continued strong sales of the MacBook Air, which debuted in 20101, and renewed sales of the MacBook Pro line -- the latter was -- for the boost to Mac numbers.

Apple racked up 2.8 million notebook sales, an increase of 53% over than the same quarter of 2010, but down 5% from the even stronger final and holiday-oriented fourth quarter of last year.