Could Windows Vista be the best thing to happen to Apple in years?

While Microsoft is busy getting Service Pack 1 into hands of Windows Vista users, the company’s latest operating system may well be seen as a blessing by rival Apple.

According to figures released by US market research firm NPD Group, the iconic brand picked up 14% of the consumer PC market in February, a huge 60% increase on the same period of last year. That compares to market growth of around 7%.

Much of the growth is being attributed by a boost in notebook sales, with some analysts pointing to the launch of the MacBook Air as the most likely reason.

Notebook sales rose 64% however desktops didn’t lag too far behind with growth of 55%.

The overall result is one of the best Apple has seen in a number of years and shows that the company is beginning to make inroads into what was once seen as a solid Windows market.

Whether that can be attributed to the cool reception Windows Vista has received over the last 12 months is difficult to say at the moment but it’s clear that Apple is bucking the global sales trend and having Windows Vista around is not doing it any harm.