Intel Lowers Q4 Revenue Prospect, Hard Drive Shortages are cause

Intel issued a warning that its Q4 revenue will be lower than previously expected, mostly due to the hard drive supply problems brought on by the floods in Thailand.

The HDD shortages are forcing PC makers to reduce CPU inventories, and this, of course, is affecting its sales. The chip company expects the hard drive shortages to continue into Q1 but is hopeful that things will get back on track in the first half of 2012.

The updated Q4 guidance talks about a revenue of $13.7 billion, plus or minus $300 million. This is down from the $14.7 billion, plus or minus $500 million predicted in October.