Israel lifts iPad ban

Israel's ban on the iPad, Apple's wireless computer device, has been lifted, reports Newsoxy.

Officials said the WiFi tablet was causing interference with other communications equipment. The wireless signal was 40 times stronger than the legal limit.

"After verification, we found the iPad operates on a constant signal to the standards required," communications ministry spokesman Yechiel Shavi said in a statement.

A shortage of the latest Intel laptop PC microprocessors appears to be worsening and could cause some PC vendors to delay the roll-out of new laptop computers, writes Computerworld.

The shortfall is in Intel's new laptop microprocessors codenamed Arrandale, including some Core i3 and Core i5 chips. The shortage has caused chip buyers to bid the price of the microprocessors up to a 20% premium over contract prices on the open market, according to US chip distributor Converge.

The shortage hit in March and will last throughout April, the company added in a monthly research report.

Notebooks remained the key drivers behind PC unit sales growth in UK distribution in early 2010, with notebook volumes up by 10% January and 13% in February compared to the same period the year before, according to CRN.

Although sales in the desktop segment recovered somewhat from the bleak conditions in 2009, and grew at 4% in February versus the prior-year period, desktop volume growth in early 2010 lagged behind notebook growth.

As a result, notebook unit share in UK distribution continued to widen in February, with notebooks accounting for 78% of PC sales during the period and desktops for 22% of sales.