Apple has surpassed HP in both computer unit sales and revenues for the first time, taking the top following record sales of iPads, according to the company. 

Apple reported record quarterly sales of 15.4 million iPads and 5.2 million Macs, giving the company over 20 million sales of dedicated personal computing devices (distinct from its sales of more than 37 million phones). Gartner reported HP's worldwide sales for the fourth quarter to be 14.7 million, while Lenovo and Dell sold 12.9 and 11.6 million units, respectively.

Apple controls more than 60% 0f the tablet computer market, with competitors such as Samsung and Hewlett-Packard struggling to come up with devices that are able to rival the iPad.

First-quarter profits more than doubled year-on-year to $13.1bn, leading the company's share price to jump as much as 12% in aftermarket trading to more than $460 per share. According to the Telegraph, at $460 a share, Apple would have a market cap of around $429bn, which would see it once again surpass oil giant Exxon to become the world's most valuable company.