CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-1260U vs Core i7-1355U
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-1260U is a 9W ultra-low power mobile processor designed for extreme portability, featuring 10 hybrid cores and LPDDR memory support.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Great for bursty office tasks like email and documents, but slows down under heavy continuous loads.
Flawless performance for office suites, heavy browsing, and video calls.
Gaming
Very limited gaming performance due to the 9W TDP. Only suitable for basic 2D games and old software.
Handles esports titles and older games at 1080p medium settings reasonably well.
Virtualization
Not recommended for VMs. The low power and core count will result in severe sluggishness.
Can run lightweight VMs, but limited by 15W thermal envelope.
Efficiency
Industry-leading efficiency for x86 laptops, often providing 15+ hours of battery life.
Excellent idle power consumption and efficient multi-core scaling.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Low power limits restrict AI workloads
- No dedicated NPU
- Uses CPU and integrated GPU for AI tasks
- Supports OpenVINO for optimized inference
- Suitable for background blur and noise cancellation
Content Creation
Gaming
- Severely limited by 9W thermal envelope
- Suitable only for retro or 2D indie games
- Throttles quickly under 3D load
- Capable of 60fps in games like CS:GO and League of Legends
- Struggles with modern AAA titles
- Shares system memory, so DDR5 improves frame rates
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Strong 5.0 GHz single-core burst
- Excellent power efficiency
- Iris Xe 96EU graphics
- Modern DDR5 and PCIe 4.0 support
- Great value for ultrabook performance
Cons
- Not unlocked
- Limited to 8 PCIe lanes from CPU
- Soldered to motherboard
- Throttles under sustained multi-core loads
- Only 2 P-cores limits heavy multitasking
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Core i7-1355U
- AMD Ryzen 7 7730URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 7530URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1365URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-1345URival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-1335UAlt
A more affordable option with slightly lower clocks but similar architecture.
- AMD Ryzen 7 7735UAlt
Better raw multi-core performance and efficiency in the same TDP class.
- Apple M1 AirAlt
Offers unmatched fanless efficiency and battery life for basic productivity.
Newer Meteor Lake chip with better idle battery life and integrated AI.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
An 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 reviewAn excellent mobile CPU that hits the sweet spot between price and performance for everyday ultrabook users.
Best for: Buying a mid-range premium ultrabook for school or office work
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-1260U or Core i7-1355U?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-1355U comes out ahead with a score of 8.6/10. 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 i7-1260U or Core i7-1355U?
For gaming, the Core i7-1355U leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i7-1260U and Core i7-1355U.
Which uses less power?
The Core i7-1355U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-1260U (29 W), Core i7-1355U (15 W).
Do Intel Core i7-1260U and Core i7-1355U use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-1260U: Intel BGA 1781, Core i7-1355U: Intel BGA 1744), so each needs a compatible motherboard.