Intel boss confident of market rise

       The worldwide personal computer market is pulling out of its slump quickly and could defy predictions by growing this year, Intel Corp CEO Paul Otellini said last week.
       Otellini's comments were more bullish than many analysts. Market research firms IDC and Gartner have both predicted a year-over-year decline in PC shipments in 2009, which would be the first such drop since 2001.
       The market has been hindered by a clampdown in corporate spending on new PCs, and some computer companies are already looking to next year for an upturn. Sales of cheap netbook computers have been a bright spot, but those machines ring up low profits for PC and chip makers. Intel is the world's top maker of microprocessors.
       Otellini said he expects PC sales to be "flat to slightly up" this year from last.He said the rebound is fueled by the fact computers are "indispensable; something people need in their daily lives."
       "I think that the market is poised for a resurgence," he said.
       Researchers at Gartner Inc predict a 2 percent decline in PC shipments for 2009, though that's better than a few months ago, when the group was forecasting a drop of 6 percent.
       "Things are looking much better in the second half," Gartner research director George Shiffler said.
       But Shiffler wasn't quite willing to go as far as Otellini did. He expects secondhalf shipments to be flat from last year,not strong enough to push the entire year into positive territory.
       "It wouldn't surprise me if we did see positive growth, but that's not our call at the moment," Shiffler said."I think that's more of a best-case scenario."
       The October arrival of Windows 7 is one wild card that could push PC shipments higher than expected. Retailers could see a surge of interest in Microsoft's updated operating system. The improving economy may also bolster the PC industry over the next few months.
       In either case, stronger PC shipments may mean fewer bargains for consumers than during last year's dire holiday season, Shiffler said. But deals won't disappear altogether. Rival manufacturer still slash prices to stay competitive.
       Intel shares rose 8c to $19.62 in afternoon trading. Shares of rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc gained 30 cents,5.2 percent, to $6.11.
       Among PC makers, Dell Inc fell 28 cents,1.8 percent, to $15.73, while Hewlett-Packard Co. gained 68 cents,1.5 percent, to $47.03.
       Since Otellini proclaimed in April that PC sales had "bottomed out" after a miserable holiday season, he has been more aggressive in his forecasts than even Intel's biggest customers. This has raised questions about how much of the recovery in Intel's sales has been caused by computer makers restocking depleted chip supplies and how much has come from end users buying more machines.
       Still, Otellini's remarks Tuesday help explain Intel's decision last month to raise its third-quarter revenue guidance to $8.8 billion (296 billion baht) to $9.2 billion (309 billion baht). The previous range was $8.1 billion (272 billion baht)to $8.9 billion (299 billion baht).
       Otellini also used his presentation at the Intel Developers' Forum to show off chips built on so-called 22-nanometer technology, which refers to the evershrinking size of circuitry on the most advanced chips.
       Those chips are still being developed in Intel's factories and won't go into production until 2011.