Last year industry analysts were ready to write off the company as more and more people moved over to Microsoft's Windows as the preferred operating platform.

But Apple Computers has sold 800,000 iMac computers since they were introduced last August.

Instant hit

Designed to be affordable and easy for new computer users get onto the Internet, the iMac instantly became a hit not only with loyal Apple lovers but also many first-time buyers.

The original iMac

The striking turquoise blue colour of the translucent plastic casing and its clam shell-shape contrasted sharply with the drab cream or grey of most standard PCs.

Now, the company has introduced five new colours in line with Apples strategy to revolutionise the look of computers, saying what's on the outside is just as important as what's inside when it comes to selling computers.

The new iMacs come in yellow, green, red and purple in addition to the existing blue.

Colour conscious

One Apple Computer senior executive said many customers considering buying an iMac were totally indifferent to the type of processor or hard-drive inside but asked instead whether they were available in different colours.

iMacs have helped Apple to turn things round and have put it back into profit.

But analysts say that if the company, which is known for its graphics applications, is to woo more people back, it also has to deliver more state-of-art software to complement the speed and ease of its operating system.

Apple announced earnings of $106m for the quarter ending in September, compared with a loss of $161m for the same period in 1997.