Intel brands new desktop, laptop chips

SAN FRANCISCO  - Intel Corp. on Sunday christened its new chips for

laptop and desktop computers "Core 2 Duo," hoping to re-ignite

interest in its products amid tough competition from rival Advanced Micro

Devices Inc.

Formerly known as Conroe and Merom, the microchips boast two processing

cores, meaning they are better at handling several tasks at once, such as

crunching a spreadsheet while playing video.

The world's biggest maker of computer chips also said it will launch a new

premium processor, dubbed "Core 2 Extreme," for high-performance

enthusiasts.

Intel says the chips are faster yet use less energy than previous processors,

such as its flagship Pentium 4.

Intel's microprocessors are used in more than 80 per cent of personal

computers, but the company has been losing market share to AMD and has seen

shrinking profitability for several quarters in a row.