KOLKATA, INDIA: With the introduction of it's range of MacBooks and iMac, Apple Computers has generated a gross revenue of nearly Rs 10 crore (Q2) in Kolkata alone. "The use of the Unix interface with rich graphics is making Apple stand apart from the rest. Also, since original Apple software is coming bundled with the machine, customers now prefer to use Apple," Chordia added.

However, it is on the security front that Apple has a breakthrough. With Mac OS X Snow Leopard powered by Unix platforms, the computers are safe from virus attacks and rarely freeze or crash as they are being backed by over 2GB RAM memory.

In an endeavor to get aggressive in the market and take on its competitors, Apple has built a distribution system where exclusive resellers will have direct access to Apple products. With the recent appointment of Redington as its national distributor, Apple now has three national distributors in the country.

The company has got in place a network of Apple Premium Resellers (APR) through which it will expand its 'Imagine Chain' throughout the country.

This retail store will deal exclusively in Apple products and Apple will supplying its products to resellers through its national distributors.

"Before certifying any enterprise as an APR, Apple verifies its track record and the relationships it has with its customers. Merely having bulk revenue and good logistics support doesn't help one to become an APR. We look at the customer relations and quality of pre and post-sales services as important criteria for building its channel network," said Sanjay Chordia from Imagine, who is also an APR.

So far, the company has focused on the metro cities in India, but now, considering the market opportunities and the potential in the upcountry regions, Apple is also considering Siliguri, Raipur, Jamshedpur and Bhubaneswar for expansion next year through it's APR chain.

Offering live demos and support training in the APRs, Apple is offering heavy discounts particularly to students on its MacBooks and iMacs.

With its core design built on the Unix platform and the Unix Console, the company is now offering Intel Core 2 Duo processors, replacing Apple's traditional preference for IBM and Motorola processors. Every Macintosh platform is powered with built-in Air-Port Extreme (WAN) and Bluetooth (2.0+EDR class) peripherals.