Intel CEO Paul Otellini says orders and billing patterns in Q2 have been slightly better than expected.

"We are halfway through Q2," Otellini said. "In terms of our order pattern and our billing pattern, it's a little better than expected." The chipmaker is expecting Q2 revenue to stay flat with the $7.1 billion reported in Q1, although some analysts say Intel's guidance is too conservative.

He told investors that Q2 sales depend on June numbers, but with a note of optimism, saying "so far, so good." Otellini says Intel should end the year with around 78,000 workers,  down 5,000 since the start of 2008, and down 20,000 since a peak in 2006.

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