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.

High quality video on your MacBook Air 15-inch M4 16GB 512GB's Advanced resolution display

IPS screen technology makes video content richer and more viewable.

You won't have to struggle to pause or rewind in the dark with its backlit keyboard.

High quality video on your 455 G8's Advanced resolution display

IPS screen technology makes video content richer and more viewable.

You won't have to struggle to pause or rewind in the dark with its backlit keyboard.

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 6 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 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 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 455 G8 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 MacBook Air 15-inch M4 16GB 512GB will do just fine.

Facebook, twitter etc require little processing power or screen specification so the 455 G8 will do just fine.

All components of your Apple 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 5600U 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 18 hours battery life in the MacBook Air 15-inch M4 16GB 512GB is sufficient for short sessions of use in coffee shops, parks etc.

The 14.75 hours battery life in the 455 G8 is sufficient for short sessions of use in coffee shops, parks etc.

The 18 hours battery life in the MacBook Air 15-inch M4 16GB 512GB has got enough juice to help you work while on the move during quick trips around the city.

The 14.75 hours battery life in the 455 G8 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 18 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

With a great run time of approximately 14.75 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

The 18 hours battery life in the MacBook Air 15-inch M4 16GB 512GB can keep you going while moving from one meeting space to another.

The 14.75 hours battery life in the 455 G8 can keep you going while moving from one meeting space to another.

With a great run time of approximately 18 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

With a great run time of approximately 14.75 hours, there isn't a huge need to carry a charger each time your about.

Because this has got a weight measuring in at 1.51 kg, it'll help you stay light and nimble. 

Because this has got a weight measuring in at 1.74 kg, it'll help you stay light and nimble. 

As you'll be needing to move about now and then, it's 1.51 kg weight should suit your needs just fine.

As you'll be needing to move about now and then, it's 1.74 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.

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 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.