Intel launches next-gen vPro business chips

Sandy Bridge

Intel has released a range of vPro processors with a host of business-orientated features.

The second generation Intel Core vPro processors come packed with some serious security punch, with the Intel Anti-Theft Technology Version 3.0 being one notable addition.

That particular feature enables IT administrators to send a "poison pill" either via the internet or through an encrypted, authenticated text message.

This will entirely disable a lost or stolen PC, which, if recovered, can be reactivated simply with another message.

GPS technology can also pinpoint the device's location.

As for performance, the vPro chips are based on Sandy Bridge, offering much improved speed and graphics capabilities.

When compared to a three-year-old Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a new vPro i5 processor accelerates business applications by 60 per cent, multitasking by 100 per cent and data encryption by 300 per cent, according to the chip maker.

"Businesses face numerous challenges today, but also opportunities in the wealth of new technologies that are helping workers be more productive, businesses to be more creative and IT to be more innovative," claimed Rick Echevarria, vice president for the Intel architecture group and general manager for the business client platform division.

The processors will appear in a range of devices from manufacturing giants including Dell, Fujitsu, HP and Lenovo.

Tom Brewster

Tom Brewster is currently an associate editor at Forbes and an award-winning journalist who covers cyber security, surveillance, and privacy. Starting his career at ITPro as a staff writer and working up to a senior staff writer role, Tom has been covering the tech industry for more than ten years and is considered one of the leading journalists in his specialism.

He is a proud alum of the University of Sheffield where he secured an undergraduate degree in English Literature before undertaking a certification from General Assembly in web development.