Apple Insider reports that the release of Mac OS X Lion has helped Apple grow its share of the PC install base to nearly 13.5% in the U.S. and more than 6% worldwide, according to new statistics.

The latest tracking data from NetMarketShare shows Mac OS X has been steadily climbing the global charts, seeing its share rise from 5.60% in May to 5.67% and 5.96%, in June and July, respectively. By the end of last month, it had reached 6.03% worldwide and 13.42% in the United States.

Meanwhile, combined versions of Microsoft Windows continued to lead the worldwide market with a 92.90% share at the end of August, as Linux made its way into third place with a 1.07% share.

  Mac OS X install base grows to over 6% worldwide, 13% in the US