TL;DR – 2022 is the better machine for 4‑K editing, gaming and heavy multitasking, but it comes at a higher price.
If you can stretch your budget and want the best performance for a long time, go with the 2022 model.
If you’re on a tighter budget and your workloads are mostly 1080p or light‑weight, the 2021 model can still do the job.
| Feature | 2021‑model (Intel i7‑1165G7) | 2022‑model (Intel i7‑1260P) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 4‑core/8‑thread, 2.8 GHz base, 4.7 GHz Turbo | 6‑core/12‑thread, 2.3 GHz base, 4.7 GHz Turbo |
| GPU | Intel Iris X‑GPU (12 EU) | Intel Iris Xe‑GPU (24 EU) – roughly 2× the 2021 GPU |
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR4x (max 32 GB) | 16 GB LPDDR5 (max 32 GB) – faster, lower latency |
| Storage | 512 GB NVMe SSD (PCI‑e Gen3) | 512 GB NVMe SSD (PCI‑e Gen4) – ~2× the sequential speed |
| Display | 13.3″ FHD (1920×1080) 60 Hz, 250 nits | 13.3″ FHD (1920×1080) 120 Hz, 250 nits – smoother, better color |
| Battery | 52 Wh | 57 Wh – slightly larger |
| Ports | 2× USB‑3.2 Gen‑1, 1× USB‑3.2 Gen‑2, 1× Thunderbolt 4, 1× HDMI 2.0, 1× SD‑card, 1× headphone/mic combo | 2× USB‑3.2 Gen‑1, 1× USB‑3.2 Gen‑2, 1× Thunderbolt 4, 1× HDMI 2.0, 1× SD‑card, 1× headphone/mic combo (same set) |
| Weight | 1.4 kg | 1.4 kg |
| Price | ~US$1,600 (varies by region) | ~US$1,800–2,000 (varies by region) |
| Use‑case | 2021‑model | 2022‑model | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4‑K video editing (Premiere, DaVinci) | 8‑core CPU, 12‑EU GPU – can handle 4‑K but may throttle under heavy effects or multi‑track timelines. | 12‑core CPU, 24‑EU GPU – smoother playback, faster rendering, better for 4‑K timelines. | 2022 is the clear win. |
| Gaming (1080p) | 12‑EU GPU – can play most titles at medium‑high settings. | 24‑EU GPU – can push higher settings, better frame‑rates. | 2022 gives a noticeable bump. |
| Multitasking / Heavy CPU loads | 4‑core/8‑thread – fine for moderate multitasking. | 6‑core/12‑thread – handles more simultaneous apps, better background performance. | 2022 is more future‑proof. |
| Battery life | 52 Wh – ~8–9 h under mixed use. | 57 Wh – ~9–10 h under similar use. | 2022 edges out by ~1 h. |
| Display | 60 Hz – standard. | 120 Hz – smoother scrolling, better for gaming and video playback. | 2022 is better. |
| RAM & Storage speed | LPDDR4x, PCI‑e Gen3 SSD – good but slower. | LPDDR5, PCI‑e Gen4 SSD – ~2× faster data transfer. | 2022 offers a performance lift. |
| Price | Lower entry point. | Higher price but includes all the above upgrades. | Depends on budget vs. performance need. |
| Scenario | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You need a laptop that will stay capable for 4‑K editing, gaming, and heavy multitasking for the next 2–3 years | Go for the 2022 model | It has a newer CPU, a significantly better GPU, faster memory and storage, a higher‑refresh display, and a larger battery. All of these translate into smoother editing, higher frame‑rates, and longer battery life. |
| You’re on a tighter budget and mostly do 1080p video editing, light gaming, or general productivity | Consider the 2021 model | It still has a capable CPU and GPU, 16 GB RAM, and a solid SSD. The price difference can be substantial, and for many users the performance gap is not noticeable for everyday tasks. |
| You want the absolute best performance but can pay a premium | Look at the 2022 model with the 32 GB RAM / 1 TB SSD upgrade | If you plan to work with very large projects or run many virtual machines, the extra RAM and storage will pay off. |
| Feature | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 4‑core i7‑1165G7 | 6‑core i7‑1260P |
| GPU | 12 EU Iris X | 24 EU Iris Xe |
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR4x | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 512 GB NVMe Gen3 | 512 GB NVMe Gen4 |
| Display | 60 Hz FHD | 120 Hz FHD |
| Battery | 52 Wh | 57 Wh |
| Price | ~US$1,600 | ~US$1,800–2,000 |
Bottom line:
If your budget allows, the 2022 model is the better investment for 4‑K video editing, gaming, and future‑proofing. If you’re mainly doing 1080p work and want to save a few hundred dollars, the 2021 model still offers solid performance.
