Intel, the world's largest chip-maker, yesterday introduced the Itanium, the first in a series of processors it hopes will secure its dominant position in the world of microprocessors. The chip cost $1-$2 billion (#1.2#2.3 billion) to develop over almost a decade and is two years behind schedule. It could decide whether Intel, which employs more than 4,000 people at Leixlip, Co Kildare, will continue to dominate the market as the personal computer declines in importance, analysts said.