Intel Core i7-1260U
Expert rating7.7 / 10
- Brand:
- Intel
- Form Factor:
- Laptop
- CPU Socket:
- BGA 1781 (BGA
- Core/Thread Count:
- 10C/12T
- TDP:
- 15W
- iGPU:
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics (reduced EU)
- CPU Series:
- Core i7
Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Manufacturer: Intel Last updated: 2026-09-12
Intel Core i7-1260U Review
Intel Core i7-1260U 10-core 12-thread laptop (ultra-low power) processor, 1.1GHz base / 4.1GHz boost, 15W TDP, Alder Lake, BGA 1781 (BGA, soldered) socket
The Intel Core i7-1260U is an ultra-low-power mobile chip for thin-and-light and business laptops prioritizing battery life. Built on Intel's Alder Lake architecture, it pairs 10 cores and 12 threads with a 1.1GHz base clock that boosts up to 4.1GHz and Intel Iris Xe Graphics (reduced EU) graphics, all within a 15W envelope.
Performance and Architecture
With 10 cores and 12 threads, the Intel Core i7-1260U is built on Intel's Alder Lake generation, combining Performance-cores and Efficient-cores for a mix of single-thread speed and multi-threaded throughput. Its 1.1GHz base clock boosts up to 4.1GHz, and Intel Iris Xe Graphics (reduced EU) graphics handle everyday display and light content-creation tasks.
Platform and Efficiency
The Intel Core i7-1260U uses the BGA 1781 (BGA, soldered) platform in a 15W envelope, positioned as an ultra-low-power mobile chip for thin-and-light and business laptops prioritizing battery life.
Comparison to Alternatives
Within the Core i7 lineup in this catalog, the Intel Core i7-1260U sits among other Alder Lake parts at the 10-core tier, differentiated mainly by suffix, clock speed, and TDP. Against AMD's Ryzen 7 processors in this catalog, Intel's Core i7 competes on single-thread performance and platform pricing, while against Intel's own Core Ultra 7 parts in this catalog it lacks the on-die NPU but often costs less.
Specifications
Identity
| Brand | Intel |
|---|---|
| Product Line | Core |
| Model Number | i7-1260U |
| Codename | Alder Lake |
| Release Year | 2022 |
Segment and platform
| Market Segment | Laptop |
|---|---|
| Microarchitecture | Alder Lake |
| Socket | BGA 1781 (BGA, soldered) |
| Socket Status | Mature |
| Process Node | 10 nm |
Core configuration
| Total Cores | 10 |
|---|---|
| Performance Cores | 2 |
| Efficiency Cores | 8 |
| Total Threads | 12 |
| SMT Enabled | Yes |
Clock speeds
| P-Core Base Clock | 1.1 GHz |
|---|---|
| P-Core Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz |
| E-Core Base Clock | 0.8 GHz |
| E-Core Boost Clock | 3.3 GHz |
Cache
| L3 Cache | 12 MB |
|---|
Power and thermal
| Base Power | 15 W |
|---|---|
| Max Turbo Power | 55 W |
| Configurable TDP Floor | 9 W |
Memory
| Memory Type | DDR5 or DDR4 |
|---|---|
| Max Memory Speed | 4800 MT/s |
| Memory Channels | 2 |
| Max Memory Capacity | 64 GB |
| ECC Support | Yes |
Graphics and AI
| Integrated Graphics | Yes |
|---|---|
| iGPU Model | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| iGPU Compute Units | 64 |
Expansion
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 |
|---|---|
| PCIe Lanes | 10 |
Commercial
| Retail Availability | Soldered Only |
|---|
| Form Factor | Laptop |
|---|---|
| TDP | 15 W |
| iGPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics (reduced EU) |
Expert Review
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating7.7 / 10
The Intel Core i7-1260U prioritizes battery life and portability, fitting thin business and everyday laptops rather than performance-first designs.
Best for
- Ultra-thin laptops
- Business laptops
- All-day battery life
Not for
- Gaming laptops
- Heavy sustained workloads
- Content creation
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Intel Core i7-1260U?
The Intel Core i7-1260U is a processor from Intel. Key specs: Cores 10, Threads 12, Base Clock 1.1 GHz, Boost Clock 4.1 GHz, L3 Cache 12.
Will the Intel Core i7-1260U work with my current setup?
The Intel Core i7-1260U lists Socket is BGA 1781 (BGA, soldered). Check that against the hardware you already own before buying, since this is the field that most often decides whether a part fits.
Who is the Intel Core i7-1260U best suited to?
It suits ultra-thin laptops, business laptops, all-day battery life.
What are the drawbacks of the Intel Core i7-1260U?
It is a poor fit for gaming laptops, heavy sustained workloads, content creation.