Certainly, the iPhone 3G seems poised to have a "halo effect" on Mac sales. A Strackarecent survey by the Piper Jaffray research firm showed that, in their bi-annual survey of teenage buying patterns and preferences, eight percent of teenagers surveyed own an iPhone -- and 22 percent want one. And for those planning on buying a mobile phone, 33 percent were eyeing the Apple model. The iPhone's popularity, as with that of the iPod, is bound to convince some folks who might have chosen a Windows machine to consider the Mac platform when choosing their next computer.

There's other, anecdotal evidence that Apple is in a good position to continue to grow in these difficult times -- though certainly not as much as in the past few years. For example, as reported by 9 to 5 Mac, a UK survey by Flip Video has says the so-called "iPod Generation" is increasingly turned to the Internet as the hub of their lives. About half of the UK's 18-24-year olds use social media to share their lives online more than they watch television.

"There's deep creative opportunity in this new mood: 18 percent of 18-24 year olds and 17 percent of 25-34 year olds create and share videos online at least once a week," says 9 to 5 Mac. "It's almost like the world has caught up with Apple CEO Steve Job's vision of the 'digital hub' for music, movies and media -- iMovie is built for this."

They're right. And the Mac remains the center of the digital hub vision.

However, Apple's recent focus has been almost entirely on the iPhone and the updated iPods. With the holiday season approaching, it's time to put the spotlight back, at least in part, on the Mac.