Apple has doubled its OS market share in past three years, and most analysts were hoping that at least in the month of Windows 7 launch Mac’s rise in market share would be stopped. But the latest data from Net Applications show that Mac OS X market share grew by 2.73 percent in October, from 5.12 percent to 5.26 percent. Windows share fell slightly from 92.77 percent to 92.54 percent.

According to Net Applications, Windows 7’s share was more than 2 percent even before its October 22 launch, as many users were using the free beta release. By October 30th, Windows 7 market share rose to 2.85 percent largely at the expense of Windows XP.

If you see the market share numbers, Apple's rise in the market share hasn’t been that drastic. However, the problem for Microsoft and other PC box assemblers is that Apple market share has grown in the most profitable segment of the computer market. Apple doesn’t compete in low-end market ($500-800) where profits are minimal, but the company has over 70 percent revenue share in high-end PC market (above $1,000). And none of the PC assemblers have been able to make a dent in high end PC market.

So, if Microsoft is still losing OS market share that means Apple is gaining more grounds in high-end market. That is bad news for Microsoft and its partners.

Apple has started a new marketing ad on websites like NY Times and Wired that puts the whole story in prospective. We have added the video below.