Record iPod sales propelled Apple to unprecedented heights in its financial history, with profits almost quadrupling in a year.

The company reported a net profit of $290m on $3.24bn in revenues for the fiscal quarter ending 31 March. This compares with profit figures of $46m on sales of $1.909bn in the same period last year.

"Apple is firing on all cylinders," said chief executive Steve Jobs.

The vendor sold 5.311 million iPods last quarter, up 558 per cent on the same period last year and up 16 per cent on the previous quarter, which included the profitable Christmas shopping season.

The iTunes Music store, combined with sales of iPod-related accessories and services, accounted for $216m in revenues.

Shipments of Apple computers were up 43 per cent over last year to 1.07 million units. The Powerbook line of high end notebook computers sold especially well, showing a 34 per cent increase in units shipped relative to last year.

The Power Mac desktop computers were among the worst performers, with year-over-year shipments declining by 19 per cent.