They have a much better reputation that most companies. I think they're doing okay compared to google, facebook, oracle, etc. Few people are going to think a corp is "doing good" but reputation does still matter somewhat.

If more people read the cases against Apple by the DOJ & the EU, they probably wouldn't have such a high opinion of Apple.

What’s there to launder? Perhaps they shouldn’t have as good a reputation as they do, but you can’t deny they do have a good reputation.

Reputation of what? They are just an office appliance company.

You're confusing your opinion of the company with the perception by the general public. Apple's definitely not perceived as 'an office appliance company' by your average person. It's considered a high-end luxury brand by many[1].

1: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361238549_Consumer_...

I think you mean high-tech brand, which the linked article affirms.

I think their public sales data shows Apple sells mainly to consumers, and mainly iPhones at that.

Like 1980s SONY, they are the top of the line consumer electronics giant of the time. The iPhone is even more successful than the Walkman or Trinitron TVs.

They also sell the most popular laptops,to consumers as well as corporate. Like SONY’s VAIO but more popular again.

The move in consumer electronics leadership from Japan to the US, Korea, and now China is probably pretty interesting to understand.

Can anyone recommend a good book or article about this?

Ah, I see where we went wrong here, you never specified that you meant reputation in your mind only. FYI, “reputation” is usually considered to be related to a general public opinion, not your personal one.