Apple will provide a live audio stream of the earnings conference call with analysts starting at 2 pm PST (5 pm EST). The live webcast (audio only) can be accessed at the company's web site at the following link (QuickTime required to listen).

The following is a summary of Apple's quarterly Mac Unit Sales for 2006:

Wall Street, investors, and Apple enthusiasts will be looking at the the first quarter comparisons to 2006.  The upcoming numbers will be measured against the Q1 2006 numbers shown in the above image and as described below.

Last year's Apple Q1 2006 earnings roundup:

• Revenue:$5.75 billion
• Net quarterly profit: $565 million
• Macs sold: 1.254 million
• iPods sold: 14.043 million

Key Mac Updates during the Quarter
Apple released revisions to the portable line during the quarter.  The updates followed  revisions to the iMac, Mac mini, and Mac Pro in the prior quarter (fiscal fourth 2006 - Q4 2006). 

In my November 10, 2006 article titled "Anaylzing Apple's Strategic Mac Releases in 2006" I commented on the strategic revisions to the portable line prior to the holidays:

"Apple strategically timed the release of the MacBook Pro and the MacBook for the 2007 fiscal first quarter to capitalize on portable sales.  It's well known in the industry that portables now outsell desktops.  Furthermore, it's no suprise that Apple rolled out the MacBook Pro just over two weeks prior to releasing the MacBook.  Although the MacBook Pro was first released in January, I feel that Apple released Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro's first in order to book as many initial sales as possible.  Many of those eagerly waiting for a Core 2 Duo MacBook decided to purchase the Pro system simply because there was speculation that Apple may not release a MacBook revision prior to MacWorld 2007.  Just visit a popular Mac forum for the evidence.

It clear that Apple took it's time to ensure that they can scale production, stuff their supply chain, and get new Macs to Apple Retail locations and Apple Authorized Resellers and ready to place in the hands of holiday buyers.  Apple is well positioned for a blow out quarter."

Switch To A Mac Projects 1.85 Million Units
Q1 2007 will mark the ninth straight quarter of at least 1 million Mac unit sales dating back to Q1 2005 but more importantly will mark the closest the company has made it close to selling 2 million Macs.  If my prediction is accurate, the increase will come in at  47.5 percent versus the same quarter in 2006.

I expect that Apple shipped close to 1.1 million portables, and 750,000 desktops equating to a total of 1.85 million Macs during the quarter.