Remember how the iMac was the number two selling computer for the month of August? That was a real coup, especially since it debuted halfway through the month and still came in second. There were some real concerns, however, that those fantastic sales couldn't continue; after all, once all of the Rabid Mac Faithful™ ran out and bought their iMacs in the first two weeks (and no, that's not a slam of any kind-- heck, the AtAT staff drove to New Hampshire to buy three on the first morning they because available), would "normal" people continue to buy the cute blue lumpy things?

So the most recent PC Data numbers are pretty good news. For the month of September, the iMac remained in the list of the top five best-selling computers, clocking in at number three. Webintosh notes that the iMac was outsold only by two different Hewlett Packard Pavilion models. It's hard to say how the September numbers relate to current iMac sales, but all reports from the field indicate that those orange and white boxes are still moving out the doors of CompUSA at a pretty solid clip.

Now, the fact that the iMac was the highest-priced computer in the top five (with its average price of $1267) is going to prompt a lot of talk that Apple needs to drop its price to be more competitive. However, there are a couple of factors to consider. First of all, as noted by the MacReport, yes, the iMac is over $200 more expensive than the other models in the top five, but it's also the only system that includes a monitor. And it's a great monitor. Secondly, if sales are so strong at the $1299 price point, doesn't it make sense to keep the price steady and pull in a higher profit? This isn't to say that AtAT is opposed to an iMac price drop-- indeed, we'd love to see it sold for $999 in time for the holiday buying season, because right now Apple's in bigger need of market share than profits. But if sales are really staying so brisk-- and if Apple is really about to unveil a Your:)Ware-style "buy an iMac for $29.95 a month" program as rumored-- then a price drop might not be warranted just yet. With Thanksgiving less than four weeks away, we're anxious to see what Apple has up its sleeve.