MacBook Air projected to earn $2.2 billion per year

Analyst Mark Moskowitz with J.P. Morgan predicts the MacBook Air will be a $2.2 billion cash cow for Apple in 2011. The MacBook Air exploded onto the scene in late 2010 with a smaller form factor and a reasonable base price. Moskowitz notes that Apple sold 420,000 units in the last few months of 2010, a 333 percent year-over-year increase. The diminutive MacBook Air accounted for 10 percent of total Mac units sold and 15 percent of its notebook sales.

Supply chain estimates suggest the MacBook Air continues to be a strong performer for Apple in 2011. Sources suggest Apple has doubled its February orders for the MacBook Air in response to unexpectedly strong demand. If Apple is able to maintain this level of demand and keep its base price at $1000, Apple can easily beat analysts early sales estimates and accrue $2.2 billion in revenue from this small but sweet notebook.