CPU Comparison
Apple M2 vs Intel Core i5-1235U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Apple M2 is a second‑generation 5 nm ARM‑based system‑on‑chip for Macs, with an 8‑core CPU, up to a 10‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine, and 100 GB/s unified memory bandwidth, designed for thin‑and‑light laptops and compact desktops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Very strong single‑thread and good multi‑thread performance for everyday apps and light creator workloads.
Handles office tasks and heavy browser tabs effortlessly.
Gaming
Solid for 1080p and many 1440p titles at medium–high settings; not intended for high‑refresh 4K gaming or heavy ray tracing.
Only suitable for very light or older 2D games.
Virtualization
Capable of light VM/container use, but limited to 8 threads and not aimed at heavy server workloads.
Can run a light VM, but core count is low for heavy dev work.
Efficiency
Outstanding performance per watt; typically around 20 W CPU package power under multi‑threaded load, far below comparable x86 ultrabook chips.
Top-tier efficiency, allowing for all-day battery life in ultrabooks.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- 16‑core Neural Engine at 15.8 TOPS
- Good for on‑device inference and Core ML workloads
- No large‑scale training focus; more for consumer features than datacenter AI
- Handles background blur and basic audio enhancement.
- Not suited for AI development or inference.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Integrated 8–10 core GPU with up to 3.6 TFLOPS FP32
- Good for 1080p and some 1440p gaming at medium–high settings
- Limited by unified memory bandwidth and 8 CPU threads for CPU‑heavy titles
- Best experienced in macOS; Windows via virtualization or translation has overhead
- Iris Xe 80EU is sufficient for hardware video decoding.
- Not recommended for 3D gaming.
- Can handle Minecraft or CS:GO at low settings.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Very strong single‑core performance for an ultrabook‑class chip
- Integrated 8–10 core GPU with up to 3.6 TFLOPS and hardware ProRes acceleration
- Unified memory architecture with 100 GB/s bandwidth simplifies development and avoids CPU–GPU copies
- 16‑core Neural Engine accelerates on‑device ML workloads
- Fanless designs in MacBook Air and very quiet operation under typical loads
Cons
- Not sold as a standalone CPU; only available inside Macs
- No user‑upgradable RAM or PCIe slots; I/O limited to what Apple provides
- Only 8 CPU threads; heavy multi‑threaded workloads are limited compared to higher‑core M2 Pro/Max or x86 chips
- CPU efficiency is slightly worse than M1 at maximum performance due to higher clocks and power
- Gaming performance is constrained by 8 threads and integrated GPU; not a gaming‑focused SoC
Pros
- Excellent power efficiency (15W base TDP)
- 10 cores provide great multitasking
- Supports fast LPDDR5 memory
- Good single-core burst performance
- Hardware AV1 decoding
Cons
- Only 2 P-cores limit heavy workloads
- Basic integrated graphics
- Locked multiplier
- Soldered to the motherboard
Competitors & Alternatives
Apple M2
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800URival
Ultrabook
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7‑1260PRival
Ultrabook
- Intel Core i7‑1355URival
Ultrabook
- AMD Ryzen 7 7730URival
Ultrabook
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Ultrabook
- Alt
More CPU/GPU cores and higher memory bandwidth for heavier creator workloads.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 7 7840UAlt
Stronger multi‑threaded performance and better x86 Windows compatibility in ultrabook form factors.
- Intel Core Ultra 7 155HAlt
Good balance of CPU and integrated GPU performance for Windows ultrabooks with NPU‑accelerated AI features.
- Alt
Newer architecture with higher performance and better efficiency if you are buying a new Mac in 2024+.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-1235U
- AMD Ryzen 5 5625URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5825URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1255URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
Even lower power (9W) for longer battery life in thinner designs.
Compare head-to-headBetter sustained performance if you need more multi-core power.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 6600UAlt
Better integrated graphics for light gaming.
- Alt
Superior efficiency and battery life in the Apple ecosystem.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A very efficient, well‑balanced SoC that makes more sense inside a Mac than as a standalone chip; strong single‑core performance, capable integrated graphics, and excellent efficiency, but not a workstation‑class part.
Best for: You are buying a new or refurbished Mac laptop or desktop and want a significant step up from Intel‑based Macs or older M1 models, especially for single‑threaded tasks and GPU‑accelerated apps.
Read the full reviewA highly efficient 15W processor that brings 10-core hybrid architecture to mainstream laptops, offering excellent battery life and solid daily performance.
Best for: Buying a thin-and-light laptop for school, office work, or general everyday use.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Apple M2 or Intel Core i5-1235U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Apple M2 comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Apple M2 or Intel Core i5-1235U?
For gaming, the Apple M2 leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Apple M2 and Intel Core i5-1235U.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-1235U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1235U (15 W).
Do Apple M2 and Intel Core i5-1235U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Apple M2: On‑Package (BGA), Intel Core i5-1235U: Intel BGA 1744), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-1235U has the most cores. Core counts: Apple M2 (8 cores), Intel Core i5-1235U (10 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Apple M2 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Apple M2 (9,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.