Chip maker Intel has seen fourth-quarter profit soar as the personal computer market starts shrugging off the effects of the recession.
Computer orders were up sharply during the quarter. Intel dominates the personal computer microchip. Sales climbed 29% to $US10.6 billion.
Intel is the first major technology company to report its results. Its net income in the three months to 26 December was $US2.3 billion, compared with net income of $US234 million a year before.
The BBC reports chip makers are coming out of the industry's worst downturn in decades and are expected to benefit from increased spending on technology by large companies in 2010.
