On Jan. 31, Intel (http://www.intel.com) disclosed a design issue with a support chip, the Intel 6 Series Chipset that has the potential to impact certain computer system configurations, including the Sandy Bridge chip expected in upcoming Macs.

As a result of discussions and specific requests from computer makers, Intel is resuming shipments of the Intel 6 Series Chipset for use only in computer system configurations that are not impacted by the design issue. Only computer makers who have committed to shipping the Intel 6 Series Chipset in computer system configurations that are not impacted by the design issue will be receiving these shipments. We’re not sure if that includes Apple.

This resumption of shipments of the Intel 6 Series Chipset is not changing the company’s updated first quarter 2011 and full-year financial outlook published on Jan. 31. In parallel, Intel has started manufacturing on a new version of this support chip. Intel now expects to begin shipping the new parts in mid-February.