Finally -- MacBook tops Amazon's bestselling computer list

Say what you will, but as I've said numerous times on these pages, the MacBook is easily one of the best notebooks in the world. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it's probably one of the best I've ever used.

And while I still have numerous issues with Windows and my utter distrust for a company that can't even release an operating system that's final knows no bounds, I truly believe the average consumer should go out and find themselves a Mac.

Luckily for us, it seems like most people tend to agree. As of this writing, theresults of Amazon's bestseller list shows Apple's 13.3-inch MacBook leads the pack of any and all PCs and computer hardware.

Sure, the results may not mean much to some and saying it has sold the best may not necessarily indicate that Windows PCs are on the slide and Macs are slowly making a trek to the top, but can you remember a time in recent history when a Windows machine wasn't sitting atop a list of bestselling computers?Regardless of how you feel about it, Macs are coming on strong and 2008 could be the year of the Mac.

Normally, I don't like to get into predictions on certain topics because no one can know for sure and the chances of someone predicting what Apple will do in 2008 is downright impossible.

That said, I'm going to try anyway. After all, if I truly believe that 2008 will be the year of the Mac, why shouldn't I explain exactly why?

Prediction 1: Apple's notebooks outsell Dell's by December

Don't believe me? Think again: Dell's market share continues to slide (it's actually in third-place when all Acer-owned properties are factored in) and Apple's continues to rise. Will it be able to catch HP and Acer? Not a chance. But there's no reason to suggest Apple can't find it in itself to beat out Dell.

With far too many issues that go beyond corporate malfeasance and slumping sales numbers, Dell is in a situation that it may not be able to get out of quite so easily. Compound that issue with the meteoric rise of Apple over the past decade and we may be on the verge of earth-shattering developments.

Prediction 2:Leopard outsells Vista

Why does everyone think that just because an operating system is made by Microsoft, it will definitely sell well? Sure, Windows has performed well in the past, but with the company's current focus resting on Google and not necessarily Apple, how long will it take before the latter sneaks in under Microsoft's nose?

If you ask me, Leopard is far and away the better operating system and Vista is too much of a Windows downgrade to be called an equal competitor to Apple's offering. Will SP1 help? Hopefully. But judging by the reaction of Dell, HP and Acer, XP might be around longer than we once thought. Meanwhile, Apple will laugh all the way to the bank.

Prediction 3: Apple surprises us all

Okay, so maybe this was a cop-out. Regardless, do any us really know what Apple is going to do in the new year? Just ask Think Secret if Apple is predictable in any way.

Sadly, Apple is one of the most secretive companies in this business and the very thought of leaks keeps Steve Jobs up at night. Will there be a subnotebook released at Macworld? I hope not, but we never really know. Will a touchscreen Mac come out a year from now? Time will tell. Will Apple find a new and innovative way to make us want to dump our iMacs and buy the update? Could be. Simply put, we just don't know what Apple will do in 2008 and that's what makes it even more enjoyable.

2008 looks like it will be an exciting year for Apple. And with just a little bit of luck and some of that Steve Jobs charm, the company could enjoy its biggest year yet. Just don't say I didn't warn you.