Sales of notebooks powered by the latest Intel Corp.'s Core i-series "Sandy Bridge" microprocessors appear to be lower than expected. Even though the decline, according to FBR Capital Markets, an investment bank, seems to be relatively slight in the first quarter (Q1), the demand towards PCs will also not increase in Q2.

"Our contacts suggest Intel's Sandy Bridge products are not stimulating as much end demand as expected, likely impacting AMD too," said an analyst with FBR Capital Markets in a research note for clients," said an FBR analyst in a note for clients, reports StreetInsider web-site.

Apparently, due to Intel's Serial ATA-related problems with chipsets (which physically could not affect proper implementations of mobile computers) as well as natural decline of sales in the first quarter sales of notebooks seem to decrease, according to FBR. Looks like actual shipments of mainstream notebooks dropped and sales of SNB-based systems did accordingly.

"Checks with the top six notebook ODMs have deteriorated of late, with first quarter [Q1] notebook builds downticking slightly from –10.5% quarter-over-quarter [QOQ] to –11% QOQ, and with Q2 builds downticking from an optimistic +15% QOQ (which we said was likely to be reduced) to +7% QOQ, worse than expected," added the FBR analyst.

The problems with the Intel platform can give a boost with the AMD-based solutions. At this point it is not obvious, though.

Tags: Windows, Intel