Chip maker VIA has introduced a new low-power consumptin processor for mobile devices

Chipmaker VIA has introduced a new low-power-consumption processor for portable devices such as the Ultra-Mobile PCs (UMPCs) unveiled by Microsoft earlier this month.

VIA's C7-M ultra-low voltage (ULV) chip is available now with clock speeds from 1GHz to 1.5GHz, and power consumption as low as 3.5W. It features VIA's PadLock Security Engine and the chip package measures just 21x21mm to help reduce the size of devices.

VIA's deputy director of CPU Product Marketing, Epan Wu, said that the VIA C7-M ULV processor "delivers the performance needed to put a full PC into the palm of your hand". The chip offers the best performance-per-watt in the industry, according to VIA. This could lead to its processors appearing in more business-oriented equipment.

The C7-M ULV will also power some laptops. European vendor Medion Electronics has announced a £412 model featuring a 1.5GHz version of the chip.