Intel to Offer Workers Free PCs

Intel Corp., the No. 1 maker of chips that power personal computers, said it will offer free home PCs to employees, a move to help its 70,000 workers get connected to the Internet. The company will seek bids from PC makers for the contract, which will offer computers with Intel’s Pentium III chips. The company expects to start delivering systems to employees around the world starting in the third quarter. Intel joins Ford Motor Co. and Delta Air Lines Inc., which earlier this year unveiled similar programs. Companies are looking to link employees to corporate resources to help improve productivity and communication. Shares of Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel fell $1.63 to close at $115.75 on Nasdaq.