In September, 1997, shares of Apple computer were trading at $5.45. Last week's price was $244.11. That 600% increase, during the same period that rival Microsoft was growing by 5%, made Apple America's second largest corporation (after Exxon Mobile) with market capitalization of $227 billion. Microsoft is now third with $219 billion. Was it all due to the return of CEO Steve Jobs? Tim Bajarin is a consultant with Creative Strategies and columnist for PC magazine.