Apple.com Apple iMac starts at $1,199 image:40292:0::0

Apple is steadily increasing its market share over rivals HP, Dell, Sony and Lenovo. NPD Group reported in March that Apple doubled its market share to 14 per cent in the U.S compared to last year.

Today NPD reports that Apple’s share in the premium computers category (computers that cost over $1,000) is a staggering 66 per cent. Apple sells only one computer model, the Apple Mini, below $1,000.

Computer companies like HP, Dell and Lenovo sell more computers below the $1,000 price point. But the profit margin for computers that cost more than $1,000 is higher compared to the highly competitive low-cost computers category.

Apple had a mere 18 per cent market share in January 2006 and in two years that number has climbed to 66% and growing for computers over the $1,000 mark. Apple introduced Pentium-based processors in 2006 and also began to open many Apple stores across the U.S. Both of these factors fueled growth.

In an interview with Joe Willcox of eWeek, Stephen Baker, NPD’s vice president of industry analysis, said Apple has improved its distribution tremendously compared to 15 years ago.

Baker told Willcox:

What Apple drives home: This is a product that we own from factory to finger…We exert some control so that you get the best experience. When you get in the store, we get you what you want.

If Apple introduces a low-priced computer, many experts believe it could dominate in all categories. With their user-friendly operating system that crashes less often; no security threats; and compatibility with previous versions, many people could switch from Windows to Mac right away.