PC Pro is reporting that Intel hopes that its Chinese manufacturing plant is back in production by next week, but following the earthquake disaster has to admit that the situation could best be described as being 'dynamic.'

The chip packaging plant in Chengdu, some 60 miles away from the earthquake epicenter, was forced to close for the safety of its workers - none of whom were injured during the quake. With a seismic survey being carried out currently, workers could be back in place by the end of this week at the earliest.

Something in the region of 60 percent of the world's laptops are supplied by Quanta Computer and Compal Electronics, and they have issued a statement saying that they are waiting to hear from Intel with regard to how the closure and the earthquake will impact upon supplies of chips. Truth be told, it should not be too great, even if the plant were to remain closed into next week as it seems contingency plans are in place with Advanced Semiconductor Engineering, Amkor and Siliconware to fill any gaps in supply.