Fixed Intel Chipsets Shipping, New Notebooks Set for March

It would appear that the now infamous problem plaguing Intel's new chipsets has finally been surpassed, more or less, as a recent report claims that the chip giant has begun to supply its partners with fixed B3 stepping core-logic sets.

As many end-users no doubt know, Intel's 6-Series Cougar point chipsets, some time ago, were found to be affected by a rather serious design flaw.

For those that want a reminder, the problem led to the gradual degradation of SATA 3.0 Gbps ports, meaning that motherboard functionality was impaired, or could be, eventually..

This promptly led to the stopping of all shipments of both mainbaords and notebooks, and the Santa Clara, California-based company even agreed to offer full refunds.

Meanwhile, OEMs have been setting up their own replacement programs and should eventually be ready to offer customers replacement machines (or mainboards, in the case of desktops).

Needless to say, the outfit promptly began working on fixed B3 stepping 6-series chipsets, series that is now ready for delivery, or so says Digitimes in its recent report.

Granted, there is not yet a supply large enough for all makers of platforms and mobile PCs, but first-tier vendors should get their first batches right about now.

The impact on Intel's and its partners' finances has already started to be felt, what with the vacuum left by the sudden disappearance of all Sandy Bridge devices.

Thus, the likes of HP, Toshiba, ASUS, Acer etc. will have to make sure to deliver new products as soon as possible, lest they end up with serious financial losses.

Toshiba, for instance, is said to be preparing the 13.3-inch R830, 14-inch R840 and 15-inch R850, which will officially be released in Fabruary 23 and will sell starting March.

ASUS and Acer will also deliver new laptops next month, hopefully in time to score some sales before the ending of the first quarter.