Analyst looks to Apple's Intel-iBook

Credit Suisse today maintained an "outperform" rating on Apple stock and a price target of $90, following Tuesday's Apple event. Credit Suisse analyst Robert Semple said while Apple has switched about half of its Mac lineup to the Intel architecture, the real upside has yet to come: "We continue to believe the most important transition to Intel will in occur in iBook, given its $999 price point has mass market appeal," tha analyst noted in a wrote in a research report obtained by Forbes. Like other analysts, Semple believes that the $350 iPod Hi-Fi is more expensive compared with third-party iPod accessories items made by Bose, JBL and Altec Lansing. "We expect Hi-Fi to be successful, but do not believe it will be a blockbuster product as its functionality is very similar to that of the Bose, which is still recognized as a leader in acoustics." The firm noted potential x86 transition issues and iPod seasonality in the March quarter, but ex[ects future growth possibilities: "We believe that near-term issues will resolve themselves and expect Apple to maintain its dominant presence in music and remain a market share gainer in PCs throughout 2006."

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