Intel Corp is rolling out five new Atom microprocessors and a collection of chips designed for portable gadgets that access the Internet and for other uses.

The low-power, tiny Atom chips will come in speeds of up to 1.86 gigahertz and Intel says that speed, plus other technologies designed into the chip, make it the fastest processor that consumes 3 watts of electricity or less.

The recently named Atom family of processors is part of Intel’s effort to have chips designed with Intel Architecture — the fundamental blueprint of its semiconductors — in myriad computing devices — from what it calls mobile Internet devices, or MIDs, all the way up to high-performance computers.

“Global Internet growth continues unabated,” said Anand Chandrasekher, who runs Intel’s Ultra Mobility Group. “The best Internet experience is still on the PC, but users want to carry that experience with them.”

That is where the Atom and Centrino Atom, come in. The Centrino Atom also includes a single-chip with integrated graphics called Intel System Controller Hub that allows for PC-like capabilities and long battery life for devices that fit in a user's pocket.

Brains of e-device

Intel said that the features of Atom processor — the ‘brains’ of an electronic device — and its system controller hub would help device makers create a range of MIDs with differing functions and designs.

Mr Chandrasekher said major device makers are already planning to adopt Atom, with more than 20 manufacturers coming out with products using the processor. As far as MIDs, those will start shipping in May, he said.