Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, reported a 20%...

Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, reported a 20% increase in fourth-quarter earnings on the strength of sales of the Macintosh line and its new Powerbook series.

Net income for the fourth quarter ended Sept. 25 was a record $97.6 million, or 81 cents a share, on revenue of $1.77 billion, the computer giant reported.

That compares to earnings of $81.2 million, or 67 cents a share, on revenue of $1.51 billion in the same quarter of the previous year.