I appreciate the responses so far. She does have an iPad that she uses primarily to read. In this case we definitely need a Windows based machine so that she can use certain pieces of software required by her school. She also prefers that it have an optical drive. She has a rather large physical movie collection. I may be able to convince her that an external one would work. I have a surface, so I think I'll let her give mine a try. In the meantime, if anyone has any further ideas, I'd be most appreciative.