Apple Computer is ranked number one in the world in market capitalization. Quite a change from 1996 when Apple was so close to bankruptcy Microsoft invested $150 million to keep the company afloat to prevent the government from eyeing Microsoft as a monopoly. Today, Apple is valued at over $500 billion, eclipsing Exxon at just under $400 billion and Microsoft at $270 billion. This infographic shows just how big Apple has become based on the success of consumer devices like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

infographic courtesy of bestcomputerscientdegrees.com