One World, One Intel

Microprocessor rival Advanced Micro Devices(AMD Quote) has its own such program which seeks to bring Internet access to half the world's population by 2015. AMD's processors are also at the heart of a separate effort by MIT Media Laboratory co-founder Nicholas Negroponte, which aims to provide a $100 hand-crank powered laptop to children in developing nations.

While the programs are rife with altruistic tones, they are also crucial initiatives for chipmakers and PC vendors scrambling to find new sources of growth as the pool of first-time PC buyers in the U.S. and other mature markets shrinks.

In its spring analyst meeting last week, Intel's Otellini said that 83% of U.S. households have a PC, compared to what he called an "abysmal" 2.8% in emerging nations.

George Shifler, research director of client platforms at industry research firm Gartner, says tech companies probably won't be selling a lot of PCs in emerging nations in the short-term.

"It's probably laying tracks more than anything else," says Shifler. "If you expose people to it and help them realize the value of it in their lives, and more importantly, in their kids' lives, then you're probably laying the foundation for future demand."

Shares of Intel were up 1%, or 19 cents, at $19.68 in midday trading Tuesday.