As a student or researcher in the social or physical sciences, this device provides a good balance of portability (with it's 12.5 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.

Facebook, twitter etc require little processing power or screen specification so the ThinkPad X270 will do just fine.

Facebook, twitter etc require little processing power or screen specification so the Dell Latitude 7280 will do just fine.

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

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

Presentations, spreadsheets and documents, don't need much, but your Intel Core i7-7600U processor and 8 GB RAM ensures even image laden files won't leave you watching the 'spinning wheel'!

Presentations, spreadsheets and documents, don't need much, but your Intel Core i5-7300U 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 13.04 hours battery life in the ThinkPad X270 is sufficient for short sessions of use in coffee shops, parks etc.

The 11.5 hours battery life in the Dell Latitude 7280 is sufficient for short sessions of use in coffee shops, parks etc.

The 13.04 hours battery life in the ThinkPad X270 has got enough juice to help you work while on the move during quick trips around the city.

The 11.5 hours battery life in the Dell Latitude 7280 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 13.04 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

With a great run time of approximately 11.5 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

The 13.04 hours battery life in the ThinkPad X270 can keep you going while moving from one meeting space to another.

The 11.5 hours battery life in the Dell Latitude 7280 can keep you going while moving from one meeting space to another.

With a great run time of approximately 13.04 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

With a great run time of approximately 11.5 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

Because this has got a weight measuring in at 1.36 kg, it'll help you stay light and nimble. 

Because this has got a weight measuring in at 1.18 kg, it'll help you stay light and nimble. 

As you'll be needing to move about now and then, it's 1.36 kg weight should suit your needs just fine.

As you'll be needing to move about now and then, it's 1.18 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 a good variety of display ports which allows you connect to a good range of projectors and screen types.

It looks simple, capable and doesn't stand out in any particular way.

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

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