by , 9:55 AM EDT, September 21st, 2005

Apple Computer could sell as many as 43 million iPods in 2006, according to Deutsche Bank. Forbes reported Wednesday that the financial firm had initiated coverage of Apple with a "Buy" rating, and a price target of US$60 per share on the strength of both the iPod and Mac platforms.

"Due its strong product portfolio, market-share leadership, and the stickiness of iTunes, we believe Apple will continue to dominate this product category," the firm wrote in a research note.

Forbes said that the Bank expected Apple to be able to continue to grow the Mac platform due to renewed interest in the Apple brand, the power of the company's industrial design, and "the superior user experience of" Mac OS X.

Looking farther ahead, the firm said that Apple was best positioned among all of the computer manufacturers to capitalize on "convergence," the idea that computers and digital media will continue to become more closely integrated.

There is additional information in the full article.

*In the interest of full disclosure, the author holds a small share in AAPL stock that was not an influence in the creation of this article.