Apple Inc (AAPL)

[fmikehugo]

07:33 AAPL Apple: Adobe's upcoming release of CS3 will have positive impact on AAPL's professional Mac sales - Piper (85.70 ) -Update-

Piper Jaffray notes that on Dec 14 ADBE announced a beta version of the Intel-optimized Photoshop CS3, expected in ADBE's May qtr, likely late in the month of April.

Firm believes that the CS3 contribution from current Adobe creative pro customers points to 9% upside to their FY07 EPS est for AAPL, and says this analysis is conservative given that it excludes any customers outside Adobe's current user base.

Also, firm believes that the success of the Intel-optimized CS3 will drive sales of AAPL's pro-level computers, as Adobe creative pros (~15% of the Mac user base) are waiting to buy INTC machines until CS3 is released.