Intel's new processors just made the PC exciting again

Intel's latest generation processors -- codenamed Skylake -- will deliver incredible performance gains, better battery life, superlative graphics and the scope for PC makers to start getting creative in terms of new shapes and form factors when they start appearing in devices later this year.

Computer sales may be slowing down overall, but there is clearly demand for mobile PCs, especially ultrabooks, hybrids and 2-in-1 devices -- computers that are proving popular enough to start stealing sales from tablets.

But whatever PC you next decide to next purchase, chances are that whatever its brand, from Acer to Apple, it will have an Intel chip inside running the show, meaning that every time it upgrades its chips, everyone benefits.

And with its new sixth-generation ‘Skylake' processors, revealed on Wednesday ahead of the official start of this year's IFA in Berlin, Germany, the benefits are potentially huge.

"Sixth Gen Intel Core processors deliver some of the most significant advancements in computing that we've ever seen," said Kirk Skaugen, Intel senior vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group. "[They] are more responsive than ever with enhanced performance, battery life and security. And they can enable amazing new PC experiences like logging into your computer with your face and having a personal assistant respond to your voice."

Despite its leadership position, it has taken Intel time to bring its processors in line with consumers' evolving PC-based needs. But now that it has caught up, it's not resting on its laurels.

Nearly half of the computers in use around the world today (500 million+) are between four and five years old and compared with any of them, Skylake-powered PCs will feel like a quantum leap forward. They offer a 3000% improvement on graphics (when compared to Intel's best processor architecture from 2010), over twice as much performance, and, in notebooks and other mobile devices, the possibility of all-day battery life.

And of course, they will be the first chips from the company truly optimized for Windows 10's most processor-hungry and complex features.

However, the chips have also been created in a way that will let manufacturers get creative with product design as well as software, meaning that 2016 will be a year in which lightweight devices get lighter still and streamline notebooks and tablets can get even thinner without impacting on heat diffusion and performance.

"The combination of 6th Gen Intel Core processors, Windows 10 and beautiful new systems from PC manufacturers make this the best time ever to buy a new computer," said Skaugen.