Apple made record profits and record revenues in the run-up to Christmas as shoppers bought many more Macs, iPhones and iPads than predicted by analysts.
The company said net profit was $US6 billion in the three months to 25 December, on revenues of $US26.74 billion.
chief executive Steve Jobs said in a statement: "We had a phenomenal holiday quarter."
The BBC reports there was no further mention of his health problems following an announcement on Monday that Mr Jobs is taking medical leave. Day-to-day running has passed to chief operating officer Tim Cook.
Apple's first-quarter profit is a 71% jump on the same period last year.
The company sold 4.13 million Macs during the quarter, a 23% rise year-on-year, and 16.24 million iPhones, a leap of 86%.
iPod sales fell 7% to 19.45 million units. Apple sold 7.33 million iPads.
Shares in the company, which had fallen during the day, rose 4% in after-hours trading on Wednesday to about $US354.
The company said that 62% of its revenues came from outside the United States. In the Asia-Pacific market, which includes China, Apple said revenues almost tripled.
