Intel lowers Q4 revenue over hard-drive shortage

Intel warned on Monday that fourth-quarter revenue will be lower than anticipated due to a hard-drive shortage. The chip maker now anticipates quarterly revenue of US$13.7 billion, down from a previous n estimate of $14.7 billion.

The entire computer industry has been grappling with reduced hard-drive supplies after recent flooding in Thailand damaged the factories that produce the components. Intel noted this in a news release, saying that while PC sales should be up in the fourth quarter, PC manufacturers are cutting back on microprocessor orders due to lack of hard-disk drives. The company predicted that this shortage would last into the first quarter of fiscal 2013 before production levels return to normal in the second half of 2013, spurring increased demand for its processors.

Intel did not offer revised a financial outlook for that quarter or for fiscal 2012. The company is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter earnings report on Jan. 19.