Apple has been a bit of a paradox during the tough economy. While many computer companies have seen sales drop along with revenue reductions, Apple has been posting growth. That has changed and the economy seems to have finally caught up with Apple. According to The Wall Street Journal, Mac sales have slowed.

Sales of Mac computers in US stores last month declined 1% from the same period in 2007 alongside PC industry-wide sales growing by 2%. Analyst Steve Baker blamed the decline on Mac desktops noting that Mac notebooks still posted growth better than rival notebooks.

Despite slowing sales analysts still expect Mac sales to continue to grow one Piper Jaffray analyst says he still expects Apple shipments to increase by 10% as the industry overall drops by 5%. Apple is also expected to be more profitable than its rivals with its MacBook line said to run margins of 20% compared to 6% or less for competitors.

Via The Wall Street Journal