'Halo effect' from iPhone, iPad lifts Mac computer sales in China

Apple is seeing sharp growth in China for its Mac laptop and desktop products, boosted by the popularity of the iPhone and iPad, even though personal computer sales in this large market remain sluggish.

California-based Apple's results in the market comprising the mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan provided the highlight of the company's fiscal quarter to June earnings report on Tuesday as revenue grew 28 per cent to US$5.93 billion, from US$4.64 billion a year earlier.

That made up 16 per cent of the technology giant's total revenue in the quarter, which rose 6 per cent to US$37.43 billion from US$35.32 billion the previous year.

"China, honestly, was surprising to us. We thought it would be strong, but it went well past what we thought," Apple chief executive Tim Cook told analysts on the company's earnings conference call.

Apple's distribution partnership with China Mobile, the world's largest wireless network operator by subscribers, apparently helped iPhone sales grow 48 per cent year on year in the three months to June, despite stiff competition from market leader Samsung Electronics and domestic brands led by Lenovo, Coolpad and Xiaomi.

Sales of the iPad jumped 51 per cent as it remained the leading media tablet in the market.