Intel

Intel Core i7-1260U

Expert rating7.7 / 10

Brand:: Intel
Form Factor:: Laptop
CPU Socket:: FCBGA1781
Core/Thread Count:: 10C/12T
TDP:: 9W
iGPU:: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
CPU Series:: Core i7

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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.

Our verdict

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

Specifications

What these specs mean

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	FCBGA1781
Socket Status	Mature
Process Node	7 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	4.7 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	9 W
Max Turbo Power	29 W
Configurable TDP Floor	9 W

Memory

Memory Type	LPDDR5, LPDDR4x
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	9 W
iGPU	Intel Iris Xe Graphics

FAQs

What are the key specifications of the Intel Core i7-1260U?

The Intel Core i7-1260U has 10 cores and 12 threads, a 1.1 GHz base and 4.7 GHz boost clock, 12 MB of L3 cache and a 9 W TDP. Integrated graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics. Socket: FCBGA1781.

Will the Intel Core i7-1260U work with my current setup?

The Intel Core i7-1260U lists Socket is FCBGA1781. 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?

Best suited to: Ultra-thin laptops; Business laptops; All-day battery life.

What are the drawbacks of the Intel Core i7-1260U?

Not the best fit for: Gaming laptops; Heavy sustained workloads; Content creation.