Dell and Hewlett-Packard have removedfrom certain online stores desktops and laptops that paired Intel's latest Core i5 and i7 processors with a defective chipset that included a design flaw. Dell and HP are also providing remedies such as refunds or motherboard replacements to customers who have already purchased systems.

Intel earlier this week said a design flaw prompted a halt in shipments of its 6-series chipset code-named Cougar Point, which was used with new Core processors announced in early January. Intel said the Serial-ATA (SATA) ports within the chipsets could degrade over time, which could impact performance or functionality of storage devices such as hard drives.

The chip maker said that flaw could delay launches of laptops by a few weeks, as the chipset is closely paired with the new Core processors.

HP has stopped manufacturing products with the affected Intel technology and is holding shipments on ordered products, said Marlene Somsak, an HP spokeswoman, in an e-mail.

"Customers can return their affected product and choose a comparable product or receive a refund," Somsak wrote.