Analysts See Intel Earnings As Barometer of Tablet Sales

SANTA CLARA (KCBS / AP) -- The latest earnings report from the world's largest chipmaker should offer a clear signal about the impact tablet computers such as the iPad have had on the personal computer market, according to analysts.

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

Intel will unveil its fourth quarter numbers after close of trading Thursday.

Its processors run 80 percent of the world's PCs, but the Santa Clara company doesn't have nearly as big a presence in the market for mobile devices and tablet computers.

"Longer terms investors are really focused on, right now as we've seen with what's been going on with this stock, does Intel have what it takes to get into what they see as the future of computing?" said Ian King with Bloomberg News.

Market research firms have reported that the iPad, of which more than 7 million were sold in the device's first six months on sale, is causing many people to think twice before buying a PC.

King said most analysts expect Intel to come in at or just below the midpoint of its forecast earnings for the quarter, around 53 cents per share and nearly $11.4 billion in sales for the quarter.

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