Forbes: Apple is 'Winner Of The Week'

Forbes magazine says that Apple is the technology winner of the week, having “righted itself one more time” after touted (by some of the media) as dying again just four months ago.

You know the story. First quarterly loss in three years was announced; the Cube disappointment, sales wise; and the usual suspects again began their chorus that Apple is doomed.

But in the recent quarter Apple surpassed expectations with a $43 million profit. Now its new iBook looks to join the Titanium PowerBook on the best-seller list.

According to Forbes, David Bailey, analyst with Gerard Klauer Mattison in New York, credits Apple CEO Steve Jobs with building a strong management team including Chief Financial Officer Fred Anderson and interim head of sales and Vice President, Timothy Cook.

“They can handle adversity as they did last year,” he is quoted as saying.

And looking ahead, Forbes said there are more hopeful signs:

The PowerPC chip will hopefully break the GHz barrier by the end of the year or early 2002.

The iMac is due for a refresh, perhaps with a flat panel screen.

There’s rumors of a next-generation G5 chip under development by Motorola that would eventually be used in Apple machines.

Mac OS X should continue to get better.

The new iBook could be the first wave in Apple reinvigorating sales in the education market.

Apple’s stock price has almost doubled from its 52-week low of US $13.625 in December, closing Thursday at $24.80.

By the way, almost a year ago, Forbes ran an article, ” Resurgence of an American Icon,” that was effusive in its praise for Apple.