Apple posted the highest growth rates in terms of shipments, among the top 6 computer vendors according to research released this week.

The Cupertino Calif.-based computer maker outpaced rivals with 39.3 percent growth in 2007, according to research firm iSuppli.

Apple's reinvigorated Intel microprocessor-based products obviously are striking a chord with PC buyers, iSuppli analyst Matthew Wilkins said.

Hewlett-Packard was No.1 in terms of shipments overall, pushing out 25.5 percent more units from the same period a year ago, while No. 2 Dell increased shipments by 17.4 percent.

Taiwanese firm Acer came in 3rd after a 25 percent jump in shipments while Lenovo, and Toshiba trailed with 21.3 percent 25.3 percent respectively.

Overall global PC shipments in the quarter rose 14.2% to 76.2 million units, iSuppli said.

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