As a student or researcher in the social or physical sciences, this device provides a good balance of portability (with it's 12.3 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.

High quality video on your Aspire Switch 12 SA5-271-32DM's Advanced resolution display

IPS screen technology makes video content richer and more viewable.

High quality video on your Surface Pro's Advanced resolution display

IPS screen technology makes video content richer and more viewable.

Facebook, twitter etc require little processing power or screen specification so the Aspire Switch 12 SA5-271-32DM will do just fine.

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

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

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

Presentations, spreadsheets and documents, don't need much, but your Intel Core i3-6100U 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 i5-7300U 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 8 hours battery life in the Aspire Switch 12 SA5-271-32DM is sufficient for short sessions of use in coffee shops, parks etc.

The 13.5 hours battery life in the Surface Pro is sufficient for short sessions of use in coffee shops, parks etc.

The 8 hours battery life in the Aspire Switch 12 SA5-271-32DM has got enough juice to help you work while on the move during quick trips around the city.

The 13.5 hours battery life in the Surface Pro 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 8 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

With a great run time of approximately 13.5 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

The 8 hours battery life in the Aspire Switch 12 SA5-271-32DM can keep you going while moving from one meeting space to another.

The 13.5 hours battery life in the Surface Pro can keep you going while moving from one meeting space to another.

With a great run time of approximately 8 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

With a great run time of approximately 13.5 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

Because this has got a weight measuring in at 1.3 kg, it'll help you stay light and nimble. 

Because this has got a weight measuring in at 0.8 kg, it'll help you stay light and nimble. 

As you'll be needing to move about now and then, it's 1.3 kg weight should suit your needs just fine.

As you'll be needing to move about now and then, it's 0.8 kg weight should suit your needs just fine.

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

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.