CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-1255U vs Intel Core i7-1260U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-1255U is a 15W mobile processor featuring a 10-core hybrid design, tailored for standard ultrabooks balancing performance and battery life.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Highly responsive for daily office tasks, with plenty of E-cores to keep background apps from slowing down the system.
Great for bursty office tasks like email and documents, but slows down under heavy continuous loads.
Gaming
Can run esports games like League of Legends smoothly, but struggles with modern AAA titles on integrated graphics.
Very limited gaming performance due to the 9W TDP. Only suitable for basic 2D games and old software.
Virtualization
Good for light Docker containers, but 2 P-cores limit performance when running full Windows VMs.
Not recommended for VMs. The low power and core count will result in severe sluggishness.
Efficiency
Excellent power management ensures long battery life during typical office use.
Industry-leading efficiency for x86 laptops, often providing 15+ hours of battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No NPU
- AI workloads handled by CPU/GPU
- Low power limits restrict AI workloads
- No dedicated NPU
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Xe 96EU handles 1080p low settings for older games
- Throttles under sustained 3D loads
- Best paired with a discrete GPU for serious gaming
- Severely limited by 9W thermal envelope
- Suitable only for retro or 2D indie games
- Throttles quickly under 3D load
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent performance-per-watt
- Very flexible memory support
- Good single-core burst performance
- Plenty of PCIe lanes for an ultrabook chip
- Reliable Iris Xe integrated graphics
Cons
- Only 2 P-cores limit heavy multi-threading
- Soldered to the motherboard
- Can get warm during 55W turbo bursts
- Not suitable for gaming without a discrete GPU
Pros
- Incredible 9W power efficiency
- Enables fanless, silent designs
- Excellent single-core burst performance
- Supports fast LPDDR5 memory
- Very light on battery drain
Cons
- Very low sustained multi-core performance
- Only 2 P-cores
- Soldered BGA 1781 socket
- Limited to 29W turbo power
- Not suitable for heavy workloads
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-1255U
- AMD Ryzen 7 7730URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1185G7Rival
Mobile
Offers slightly higher clock speeds (4.8 GHz) for marginally better burst performance.
Compare head-to-headA more cost-effective alternative that offers very similar everyday performance.
Compare head-to-headBetter sustained performance if you can accommodate the 28W TDP.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 7735UAlt
Strong alternative with better integrated graphics efficiency.
- Intel Core i7-1355UAlt
The 13th Gen successor with refined efficiency and clock speeds.
Intel Core i7-1260U
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 6800URival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M1Rival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600URival
Mobile
Essentially identical 9W performance, often used interchangeably by OEMs.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-1230UAlt
A more budget-friendly 9W option with similar efficiency.
Offers better performance in a 15W envelope if you don't need a fanless design.
Compare head-to-head- Apple M2 MacBook AirAlt
Superior performance-per-watt in a fanless chassis.
- AMD Ryzen 5 7640UAlt
Excellent efficiency with significantly better performance.
Our Verdict on Each
A highly efficient and popular 15W processor that powers a vast majority of mid-range premium ultrabooks, offering great daily responsiveness.
Best for: Buying a standard ultrabook for school or office work where you need strong battery life and snappy daily performance.
Read the full reviewAn excellent 9W processor for silent, fanless laptops, though its strict power limits mean it lags behind 15W chips in sustained workloads.
Best for: Buying a premium 2-in-1 tablet or fanless laptop where silence and weight are the primary concerns.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-1255U or Intel Core i7-1260U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-1255U comes out ahead with a score of 7.9/10. 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 i7-1255U or Intel Core i7-1260U?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-1255U leads with a gaming performance score of 64/100 among Intel Core i7-1255U and Intel Core i7-1260U.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i7-1260U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-1255U (55 W), Intel Core i7-1260U (29 W).
Do Intel Core i7-1255U and Intel Core i7-1260U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-1255U: Intel BGA 1744, Intel Core i7-1260U: Intel BGA 1781), so each needs a compatible motherboard.