My cousin and my friend thought they would want a Chromebook but like you, they were not sure.
If you use gmail it is very easy. If you don't use gmail you will need to get a gmail account using your old computer.
My advice for them will work for you. Go to Walmart and buy a Chromebook. When it starts up it will ask you for your gmail account and password. You have 10 days [I think, ask them] to try it out. My cousin and friend liked it so much they just kept it and did not return it.
I told the both of them that there are bigger and better Chromebooks that Walmart and others sell and maybe they would like a bigger keyboard or larger screen.
I am not sure if a Chromebook will work with a DVD burner. It does not use Windows.
watch this
click here and you will see that Chromebooks are taking over the laptop market
It will be easier to anwer your questions once you have a Chromebook.