Intel has announced what it calls its “6^th generation Intel Core processor family.” The new chip series, which is based on the Skylake chip architecture, offers improved performance, as well as better power usage and enhanced security features.

The processors offer three times the battery life of the systems available five years ago, at double the performance. The new design also leads to faster wakeup times. Although the days are over when a new processor announcement could cause power users to discard a system they just purchased the year before, Intel points out that more than 500 million computers in use today are four to five years old, and these systems will see vast improvements with an upgrade.

Although Intel owns the PC computer market for home and business users, the company faces increased competition from the new generation of tablets, many of which run on ARM-based chips. To maintain its market dominance, the company needs to build a case for the presence of full-featured laptop and desktop PCs, rather than lighter and simpler tablet systems.

The new processors are designed to work with Windows 10, and the company says it is “making a push” toward achieving long-sought features such as wireless charging. Intel's RealSense camera technology will support better facial recognition and gesture control.