Because ACSI keeps its surveys simple and doesn't solicit comments, Morgeson was hesitant to name specific Apple practices or products that contributed its score.

Other personal computer makers, for example, lack Apple's chain of retail stores, which focus consumer attention on Apple-made products, Morgeson noted. "Those stores certainly don't hurt," was as far as Morgeson would go.

Ironically, the only other personal computer brands that showed a satisfaction score increase in 2011 over the prior year were HP and Compaq, both sold by Hewlett-Packard.

Last month, that company said it was considering spinning off or selling its PC business.

Morgeson cautioned against reading too much into the coincidence, noting that a one-point increase -- which both HP and Compaq posted over last year's results -- was not statistically important. "These one-point changes are pretty small" in the grand scheme of things, said Morgeson.