As a student or researcher in the social or physical sciences, this device provides a good balance of portability (with it's 17.3 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 17-cp2008na's Advanced resolution display

IPS screen technology makes video content richer and more viewable.

Connecting to a TV or monitor to watch content on a bigger screen will be simple as its HDMI port is the most common connection option available.

Developing your own tunes and mixes is important to you, so we've recommended a laptop that has got an advanced audio system on-board with HD sound capabilities.

The presence of a 4 cores core process will help speed up music format conversions or codec-based compression.

Since you're all about the music, this laptop will make a great side-kick to you music production gear. It's multi-core processor gives you the necessary muscle to rip, encode or convert your audio craft without having to wait forever. Also, it's on-board audio chip and high resolution screen (1920 x 1080 pixels) offer a competent and mobile deputy to your existing tools and setup.

The 17.3 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 HP's 8 GB RAM will ensure large sheets and accounts wont undermine performance

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

Whether it's HTML5, CSS or Javascript-based frameworks such as AJAX, Angular, JQUERY etc, the 17-cp2008na is a very capable option. 

It's multi-core CPU & 8 GB memory size helps you multi-task as you craft your vision on it's high quality, 1920 x 1080 pixels screen.

Facebook, twitter etc require little processing power or screen specification so the Aspire A517-51-39PY will do just fine.

Facebook, twitter etc require little processing power or screen specification so the 17-cp2008na will do just fine.

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

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

Presentations, spreadsheets and documents, don't need much, but your Intel Core i3-6006U 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 7520U 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 4 hours battery life in the Aspire A517-51-39PY is sufficient for short sessions of use in coffee shops, parks etc.

The 7.25 hours battery life in the 17-cp2008na is sufficient for short sessions of use in coffee shops, parks etc.

The 4 hours battery life in the Aspire A517-51-39PY has got enough juice to help you work while on the move during quick trips around the city.

The 7.25 hours battery life in the 17-cp2008na 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 Aspire A517-51-39PY can keep you going while moving from one meeting space to another.

The 7.25 hours battery life in the 17-cp2008na can keep you going while moving from one meeting space to another.

Because this has got a weight measuring in at 2.07 kg, it'll help you stay light and nimble. 

As you'll be needing to move about now and then, it's 3 kg weight should suit your needs just fine.

As you'll be needing to move about now and then, it's 2.07 kg weight should suit your needs just fine.

It's got a good variety of display ports which allows you connect to a good range of projectors and screen types.

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 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.