As a student or researcher in the social or physical sciences, this device provides a good balance of portability (with it's 15.6 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 15.6 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 Acer 's 6 GB RAM will ensure large sheets and accounts wont undermine performance

The numeric keypad keyboard really takes the strain out when entering data.

Facebook, twitter etc require little processing power or screen specification so the VivoBook 15 X542UA will do just fine.

Facebook, twitter etc require little processing power or screen specification so the Aspire A315-51-514S will do just fine.

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

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

Presentations, spreadsheets and documents, don't need much, but your Intel Core i7-7500U processor and 4 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 i5-7200U processor and 6 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 4 hours battery life in the VivoBook 15 X542UA is sufficient for short sessions of use in coffee shops, parks etc.

The 6.5 hours battery life in the Aspire A315-51-514S is sufficient for short sessions of use in coffee shops, parks etc.

The 4 hours battery life in the VivoBook 15 X542UA has got enough juice to help you work while on the move during quick trips around the city.

The 6.5 hours battery life in the Aspire A315-51-514S has got enough juice to help you work while on the move during quick trips around the city.

The 4 hours battery life in the VivoBook 15 X542UA can keep you going while moving from one meeting space to another.

The 6.5 hours battery life in the Aspire A315-51-514S can keep you going while moving from one meeting space to another.

Because this has got a weight measuring in at 4.7 lbs, it'll help you stay light and nimble. 

Because this has got a weight measuring in at 4.6 lbs, it'll help you stay light and nimble. 

As you'll be needing to move about now and then, it's 4.7 lbs weight should suit your needs just fine.

As you'll be needing to move about now and then, it's 4.6 lbs weight should suit your needs just fine.

Working with numbers is important to you, so we've made sure this laptop comes a full featured keyboard. 

Working with numbers is important to you, so we've made sure this laptop comes a full featured keyboard. 

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

It's an eye-catching package with a bright and refreshing look about it. It could even play the role of an accessory to compliment a specific sense of style. 

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.