CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1235U vs Intel Core i5-1250P
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1235U is a low-power mobile processor from the 12th Generation Alder Lake-U family, launched in February 2022.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles office tasks and heavy browser tabs effortlessly.
12 cores handle heavy multitasking, large spreadsheets, and application switching effortlessly.
Gaming
Only suitable for very light or older 2D games.
Capable of playing esports titles and older games at 1080p using integrated graphics.
Virtualization
Can run a light VM, but core count is low for heavy dev work.
Good for running a local VM or two for development purposes.
Efficiency
Top-tier efficiency, allowing for all-day battery life in ultrabooks.
Excellent performance-per-watt, ensuring long battery life during mixed-use workloads.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Handles background blur and basic audio enhancement.
- Not suited for AI development or inference.
- Suitable for basic edge AI tasks and background blur features.
- Lacks dedicated AI hardware acceleration.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Xe 80EU is sufficient for hardware video decoding.
- Not recommended for 3D gaming.
- Can handle Minecraft or CS:GO at low settings.
- Iris Xe 80EU handles older or low-demand titles well.
- Not suitable for modern AAA gaming without a discrete GPU.
- Hardware video decoding is excellent for media consumption.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- 12 cores and 16 threads in a 28W package
- Iris Xe 80EU graphics with high boost clock
- Excellent performance-per-watt
- Supports DDR5 and LPDDR5 memory
- Great for heavy multitasking
Cons
- Not unlocked for overclocking
- Soldered to the motherboard (BGA)
- Can throttle under sustained 100% load in poorly cooled chassis
- Integrated graphics still limited for serious gaming
Competitors & Alternatives
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
Intel Core i5-1250P
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1260PRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 5625URival
Mobile
Slightly cheaper with near-identical performance, just a lower iGPU clock.
Compare head-to-headBetter battery life for standard ultrabook use.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 6800UAlt
Superior integrated graphics performance.
More power and cores if laptop thickness isn't a concern.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Better battery life and efficiency in the Apple ecosystem.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewAn excellent 28W processor that brings 12 cores and Iris Xe graphics to the thin-and-light category, balancing power and portability perfectly.
Best for: Buying a premium thin-and-light laptop for heavy productivity and light content creation.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1235U or Intel Core i5-1250P?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1250P 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, Intel Core i5-1235U or Intel Core i5-1250P?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1250P leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i5-1235U and Intel Core i5-1250P.
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), Intel Core i5-1250P (28 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1235U and Intel Core i5-1250P use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1744 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-1250P has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-1235U (10 cores), Intel Core i5-1250P (12 cores).