Ignoring the growing clamor saying that under its present management, Apple Computer Inc is – or incumbent management – is making much too much money to want to let go the reins while employees, business partners and users look on in dismay, and it is taking the threat of a bid from the team assembled by Larry Ellison very seriously indeed. According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple has retained investment banker Goldman, Sachs & Co and mergers and acquisitions specialist public relations outfit Abernathy MacGregor Group to advise it in the event of raiding parties appearing over the Cupertino yard-arm.