Intel

Money is fraught with emotional baggage. However, all of the external influences that affect our fiscal decisions -- how mom and dad managed family money, the daily headlines warning of pending doom -- are nothing compared to the naturally occurring power struggle taking place in our brains.

Intel announced plans Wednesday to begin high-volume manufacturing of chips with its long-awaited tri-gate transistors, a move that analysts say will put it far ahead of its competitors in the long-term with regards to its ability to shrink the size of computer chips and enhance their power.

When it comes to transistors on computer chips, smaller size means more processing power. So when Intel holds its big press conference Wednesday, expect an announcement that will lead to a serious power boost for its chips -- perhaps from its long-awaited revolutionary tri-gate transistors.

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Two days after Intel halted shipments of its 6 Series chipset, announcing it had found a flaw in the design, HP and Dell have warned that some of their new computers include the chips. Samsung also began offering refunds on PCs with the Intel chip Tuesday.

Intel has discovered a design flaw in its recently released Intel 6 Series chipset, code-named Cougar Point, and has halted shipments of the support chip.

The European Commission on Wednesday approved Intel's $7.68 billion acquisition of security-software company McAfee. Regulators had been concerned that the deal would exclude competing software from working with Intel processors, but Intel agreed to maintain interoperability.

The world's largest chipmaker is looking to promote its technology products through a new association with the seven-time Grammy Award winner. Says will.i.am: "When I see an Intel chip, I think of all the creative minds involved that help to amplify my own creativity."

Stocks closed sharply higher Monday with the Dow Jones posting a triple-digit gain as technology stocks rallied after Intel raised its dividend and expanded its share buybacks by $10 billion. The index last saw 12,000 in June 2008 -- on the way down.

Stocks ended the week on a positive note despite economic reports that fell short of expectations. But Cort Gwon of FBN Securities says there was lots to cheer about as fears over the debt crisis in Europe lessened and U.S. companies announced stellar earnings.