Apple M2 Max (12-core) vs Intel Core i5-1235U
60.4Single-core49.8
51.9Multi-core31.4
80Efficiencyspec-based75.3
—iGPU50.3
52.8Platformspec-based47.7
10 spec wins — Apple M2 Max (12-core)2 spec wins — Intel Core i5-1235U
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M2 Max (12-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 59.1 to 46.9, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+21) and single-core (+11). Intel Core i5-1235U still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M2 Max (12-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 60 vs 50
- Stronger multi-core score: 52 vs 31
- 300% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 2
- 138% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 14,500 vs 6,100
- 135% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 14,600 vs 6,200
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-1235U
- 100% higher Efficiency cores: 8 vs 4
- 20% higher Boost clock: 4.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz
General
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2022 |
| Process | 5 nm+50% | 10 nm |
| Base TDP | — | 15 W |
| Max TDP | — | 55 W |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+20% | 10 |
| Performance cores | 8+300% | 2 |
| Efficiency cores | 4 | 8+100% |
| Threads | 12 | 12 |
| Base clock | — | 1.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.4 GHz+20% |
| L3 cache | — | 12 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 38-core GPU | Intel Iris Xe (80 EU) |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,200 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5-6400 | LPDDR5-5200 / DDR5-4800 / LPDDR4X-4267 |
| Max memory | 96 GB+50% | 64 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M2 Max (12-core) | Intel Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 2,760+38%Top 30% | 2,000Bottom 17% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 14,500+138%Top 25% | 6,100Bottom 14% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,600+5%Bottom 35% | 1,520Bottom 29% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 14,600+135%Top 39% | 6,200Bottom 17% |
| PassMark | 26,834+116%Top 29% | 12,415Bottom 22% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 1,175Bottom 42% |
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