The five Pentium III Processor-M models are code-named Tualatin, and are designed for the laptop computer market, where short battery lives and sluggish performance have been major complaints.

The processors, which use up to 40 percent less power and are as much as 20 percent faster, are among the first to use .13-micron technology, which refers to the size of the smallest feature on the chip.

Most microprocessors, including Intel’s flagship Pentium 4, are built using .18-micron technology. A human hair, by comparison, is 100 microns thick.

The Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaker is expected to launch .13-micron Pentium 4s later this year.

The new Pentium III processors for laptops are available in speeds from 866 megahertz to 1.13 gigahertz.

Several computer makers will incorporate the processor into new laptops, including Compaq, Dell, Hewlett-Packard and IBM.

HP’s new Omnibook 6100, which will be available in August, is priced between $2,899 and $3,699, depending on the configuration. Dell’s new Latitude C810, with a 1.13 GHz processor, will start at $2,459.

Rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc. earlier this year launched a 1 GHz Athlon 4. Previously, Intel’s fastest Pentium 3 processor for laptops topped out at 1 GHz.