~$200 Budget Laptop Help

[NicJames2378]

Hello all! I am having a slight dilemma and decided to seek the assistance of the wonderful people here at Toms!
I have a friend who is moving away to college in August, and she is in need of a cheap (ideally $200, but possibly up to $230) laptop/notebook/netbook to do her college papers and internet research on. I would like the computer to be easy for her to carry from class to class, as well as decent sized for her to easily see the screen without straining her eyes after long hours of research.
I am aware that this is a very tight budget, but it is all she can get before the semester starts. If possible, I would like the laptop to have the following at minimum (if possible):

• 
  1. be on a Windows operating system (7 preferred, but 8/8.1 is doable too)
  2. have at least 2GB (two gigabytes) of RAM
  3. A required 128GB of hard drive space (at least. SSD preferred, but I know unlikely at this price). This does not include USB or SD expansions.
  4. at least 2 (two) USB ports
  5. at least 6 (six) hour battery life so that it doesn't die in class after constant use all day
  6. a CD/DVD drive is required (unless you can link to a good cheap external one)
  7. a relatively decent screen for her to see from. not too small, but not huge and power hungry either.

I appreciate the assistance. Feel free to post more than one if you can find multiple candidates. I have only found the 13.3in HP Stream to be close to what I need, and it still isn't completely what I would like for her. http/goo.gl/dX1qdL - HP Stream 13.3 Link

 

[Reyaz123]

It has a usb port, ssd 16GB only and under $250
http/www.amazon.ca/Acer-Chromebook-Processor-Moonstone-Bilingual/dp/B00O55U5OM/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1436484582&sr=1-1&keywords=Laptop

If you want more quality, I suggest you bump the price range around 350-400$

 

[jaguarskx]

It has a usb port, ssd 16GB only and under $250
http/www.amazon.ca/Acer-Chromebook-Processor-Moonstone-Bilingual/dp/B00O55U5OM/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1436484582&sr=1-1&keywords=Laptop

If you want more quality, I suggest you bump the price range around 350-400$

That's a Chromebook. It will not be compatible with any Windows software.

 

[NicJames2378]

Thank you for the suggestion and assistance Rayaz123, but that computer only meets a few of the things I asked for. Sadly, I can't consider it because the person it is meant for wants a Windows PC. Thank you though.

 

[NicJames2378]

Tiny phone accidentally made me click wrong button … Any way to unselected that as answer?

 

[jaguarskx]

I appreciate the assistance. Feel free to post more than one if you can find multiple candidates. I have only found the 13.3in HP Stream to be close to what I need, and it still isn't completely what I would like for her. http/goo.gl/dX1qdL - HP Stream 13.3 Link

In that price range you will only find laptops that are similar to the HP Stream 13. Meaning only 2GB of RAM, 32GB storage and no DVD drive. The CPU is also pretty weak so she will experience lag from time to time when surfing the web because the CPU needs to process a lot of code behind the scene.

To get a laptop that fits most of her needs she will likely have to look at a refurbished laptop. The one thing that will be lacking is battery life which will generally be around 3 - 4 hours. As an example, below is a link for a refurbished ThinkPad T420 for $165. It is much more powerful than the HP Stream and similar laptops.
[strike]
http/www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-ThinkPad-T420-14-Laptop-Core-i5-2-5GHz-4GB-RAM-500GB-HDD-Win7Pro-Webcam-/371378741951?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5677e5e2bf[/strike]

Update - 7/10/2015

The above T420 has been sold, here's another one for $141.

http/www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-ThinkPad-T420-14-Core-i5-2520M-2-5GHz-4GB-RAM-160GB-HDD-Win7Pro-Tested-/151741575668?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item235480b1f4

 

[rgd1101]

Not sure if you live close to a microcenter. see if they have openbox/refurbished/closeout like
http/www.microcenter.com/product/443444/15-R029WM_156_Laptop_Computer_Refurbished_-_Black?ob=1

 

[velo3100]

The best that I could find is this: http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA5WM2NY7179

 

[mdbhayes]

This one is at Best Buy for $229.99

Toshiba - Satellite 15.6" Laptop - AMD E1-Series - 4GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive
Windows 8.1 64-bit - 3 usb ports - dvd/cd drive

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/toshiba-satellite-15-6-laptop-amd-e1-series-4gb-memory-500gb-hard-drive-jet-black/1296027.p?id=1219484414115&skuId=1296027

Product Features
AMD E1-2100 Accelerated Processor with AMD Radeon HD 8210 graphics
4GB DDR3L memory
Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
Records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video
15.6" LED-backlit TFT high-definition widescreen display
500GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
AMD Radeon HD 8210 graphics
An HDMI output
Built-in high-definition webcam with microphone
Multiformat media reader
Supports SD, SDHC, SDXC, miniSD, microSD and MMC formats
1 USB 3.0 port and 2 USB 2.0 ports

Built-in high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n)

Allows you to connect to the Internet without wires.
Built-in 10/100 Ethernet LAN

With RJ-45 connector for quick and simple wired Web access.
Weighs 4.85 lbs. and measures just 1.05" thin

For easy portability. A standard keyboard with 10-key pad enables comfortable typing and data entry.
Textured resin finish in jet black

Offers a stylish look.
Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit operating system preinstalled

Provides a stable platform for word processing, Web navigation, gaming, media storage and more.
Software package included

With Adobe Reader and more. Includes 1-month trial of Microsoft Office 365.

 

[mdbhayes]

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/toshiba-satellite-15-6-laptop-amd-e1-series-4gb-memory-500gb-hard-drive-jet-black/1296027.p?id=1219484414115&skuId=1296027

 

[mdbhayes]

They also have this one as a open box for $231.00 it's regular price is 249.00

It's a little better model
Toshiba - Satellite 15.6" Laptop - AMD E1-Series - 4GB Memory - 500GB Hard Drive

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/toshiba-satellite-15-6-laptop-intel-celeron-4gb-memory-500gb-hard-drive-jet-black/5346014.p?id=1219649750488&skuId=5346014

 

[jaguarskx]

I would not bother buying a laptop with an AMD E-2100 APU. They were considered lethargic when they were 1st released back in 2013. The difference in performance between that APU and the Core i5-2520m in the ThinkPad T420 I recommended is like driving up a 30 degree incline with a moped and a car that has a 120HP engine.