Apple Headed for Another Quarterly Blowout?

Apple’s first quarter of calendar 2010 is shaping up to be a strong one. According to new NPD sales data, as reported by Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, Mac sales increased 36 percent year-over-year in January. To Munster, that kind of growth suggests Apple may exceed Wall Street estimates when it next reports earnings.

“While it is way too early to make a call on the quarter, we believe the Jan. NPD suggests the quarter is tracking ahead of Street consensus,” Munster said in a research note issued this morning.

Just how far ahead? Munster figures Apple (AAPL) will likely deliver Mac sales of between 2.6 million and 2.8 million–up 18 to 26 percent this quarter and above expectations of 18 percent. iPod sales are also tracking well. Munster says they’re up five percent year-over-year, which is the first time they’ve been up YOY in 16 months, though he again cautions that it’s too early in the quarter to make an accurate call.