Intel delays Celeron launch

Intel has delayed the launch of two desktop Celeron chips to ensure it can keep up with demand, according to US reports.

The chip giant was expected to introduce 633Mhz and 667Mhz Celeron processors this week but that has been pushed back until June to ensure it has enough for the channel, the report suggests.

An Intel spokesman declined to comment on the speculation but said the company is on track to ship the new processors in the second half of the year, as originally promised.

He said: "We had stated that we'd ship the new Celeron processors in the 600Mhz range in the second half of this year and the intention is still to do that, but we cannot be specific about the launch date."

The 700Mhz version is also expected to ship at the same time, as planned.

The report suggests that Intel is keen to avoid the same problems caused the high demand for its 800Mhz Pentium III processors that were launched in December.

In March Intel rolled out two new Celeron versions aimed at the sub $1000 PC market. The 566Mhz and the 600Mhz models are based on Intel's 0.18 micron technology.