In Related News, Apple Also Owns 100% of the Market for Computers With Apple Logos

Signs of a slowdown in consumer spending abound, but the Mac faithful appear not to have noticed. According to the most recent data from market firm NPD Group, Apple (AAPL) saw a 50% year-over-year boost in Mac sales in April. That’s nearly triple the growth seen in the broader PC market.

And that’s not all. In notebooks, Apple’s sales are growing at twice the market’s current rate.

Oh, and in personal computers retailing over $1,000, Apple’s machines comprised two-thirds of all that were sold during the first quarter.

Granted, the Cupertino, Calif., company only sells one Mac priced below $1,000 (the Mac Mini) and its rivals’ offerings typically price out in the $599-to-$799 range. Still, that two-thirds metric is impressive nonetheless.

Certainly, it seems Apple has tapped deeply into an affluent and expanding fan-base that’s willing to pay a premium for its iProducts. Said Stephen Baker, NPD’s vice president of industry analysis: “People see a value proposition in an offering that gives them a great experience. What Apple drives home [is this]: This is a product that we own from factory to finger. We exert some control so that you get the best experience. When you get in the store, we get you what you want.”