San Francisco  - Apple on Wednesday reported record quarterly earnings and revenue on stronger sales of Macintosh computers.

Profits exceeded analysts' expectations, rising 36 per cent in the quarter ending in March to 1.05 billion dollars. Sales rose 43 per cent from the year-earlier period to 7.51 billion dollars, the Cupertino, California-based firm said.

Sales of Macintosh computers rose 50 per cent over the previous year to 2.3 million, while the firm sold 10.6 million iPod music players, up 1 per cent year-over-year. It also sold 1.7 million iPhone mobile phones.

The firm's predictions for third quarter were lower than analysts had expected, sending down Apple shares in after-hours trading.

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs hinted at the release of new products in the coming months, but provided no details. (dpa)