As a student or researcher in the social or physical sciences, this device provides a good balance of portability (with it's 13.3 inches screen size) and performance so that you're free to roam the labs or libraries with a machine that can competently multi-task your data crunching, "multi-tabbed browsing" and the production of academic content.

The 13.3 inches screen gives you enough screen-space to wade through columns and rows

Excel, Quicken etc, don't need much power so this option won't up the requirements on processor. 

Your Apple 's 8 GB RAM will ensure large sheets and accounts wont undermine performance

Facebook, twitter etc require little processing power or screen specification so the 9 NP900X3T will do just fine.

Facebook, twitter etc require little processing power or screen specification so the MacBook Air MQD42LL/A will do just fine.

All components of your Samsung will easily handle the web as surfing requires minimal resources

All components of your Apple will easily handle the web as surfing requires minimal resources

Presentations, spreadsheets and documents, don't need much, but your Intel Core i5-5350U processor and 8 GB RAM ensures even image laden files won't leave you watching the 'spinning wheel'!

Email demands very little from a laptop. We've taken this into account.

Email demands very little from a laptop. We've taken this into account.

The 20.5 hours battery life in the 9 NP900X3T is sufficient for short sessions of use in coffee shops, parks etc.

The 12 hours battery life in the MacBook Air MQD42LL/A is sufficient for short sessions of use in coffee shops, parks etc.

The 20.5 hours battery life in the 9 NP900X3T has got enough juice to help you work while on the move during quick trips around the city.

The 12 hours battery life in the MacBook Air MQD42LL/A has got enough juice to help you work while on the move during quick trips around the city.

With a great run time of approximately 20.5 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

With a great run time of approximately 12 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

The 20.5 hours battery life in the 9 NP900X3T can keep you going while moving from one meeting space to another.

The 12 hours battery life in the MacBook Air MQD42LL/A can keep you going while moving from one meeting space to another.

With a great run time of approximately 20.5 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

With a great run time of approximately 12 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

Because this has got a weight measuring in at 1 kg, it'll help you stay light and nimble. 

Because this has got a weight measuring in at 1.4 kg, it'll help you stay light and nimble. 

As you'll be needing to move about now and then, it's 1 kg weight should suit your needs just fine.

As you'll be needing to move about now and then, it's 1.4 kg weight should suit your needs just fine.

This laptop can be used night or day thanks to the built in back-lit keyboard.

This laptop can be used night or day thanks to the built in back-lit keyboard.

It's got clean lines and a premium look, which showcases a refined taste in mobile devices.

It's got clean lines and a premium look, which showcases a refined taste in mobile devices.

It's got the traditional corporate look and will definitely blend in within the enterprise environment.