Intel Core i5-1235U vs Apple M4

The Intel Core i5-1235U, based on the 10 nm Alder Lake U architecture, was designed for energy-efficient Windows laptops.

It integrates performance and efficiency cores, features 7 MB L2 and 12 MB L3 cache, and achieves a maximum memory bandwidth of 83 GB/s. The integrated graphics unit is the Intel Iris Xe Graphics 80 (Alder Lake). It is a versatile choice for everyday tasks within the Windows ecosystem and can be found in a variety of laptops.

The Apple M4, Apple's latest 3 nm chip with M4 architecture, was introduced in May 2024 for peak performance and efficiency in Apple's premium devices.

It offers high-performance and high-efficiency cores, a larger 20 MB L2 cache, and a maximum memory bandwidth of 120 GB/s. The integrated graphics unit is the Apple M4 (10 Core). It is ideal for users seeking maximum raw power and energy efficiency within the Apple ecosystem. In single-core and multi-core benchmarks, the Apple M4 significantly outperforms the Intel Core i5-1235U, with over 10 percent higher scores in relevant tests.

The integrated Apple M4 graphics unit is also more powerful for gaming. The Apple M4 benefits from the 3 nm manufacturing process, which leads to superior energy efficiency. The Intel Core i5-1235U offers good efficiency but is surpassed. Price-wise, the Intel Core i5-1235U is often more cost-effective and offers flexibility in the Windows segment, while the Apple M4 is exclusively built into Apple's more expensive ecosystem devices.

For demanding creative workloads, the Apple M4 is the better choice; for everyday use and system variety, the Intel Core i5-1235U is suitable.