New Laptop for school, specific things I want, make sense?

[Johnez]

I'm looking for a school laptop that I want to meet some requirements listed:

-light/durable/15" screen for backpack transport
-512 gb SSD.  Big enough for storing all my files (programs related to HVAC, schoolwork files and a music library.  No movies/games)
-Enough RAM to work with 2D AutoCAD (8gb enough?)-I am not going to be working with AutoCAD a *lot* but I don't want it bogging down to unworkable state, I'm ok with slow opening time.
-Not sure what to look for in terms of memory, 2.5 ghz enough?
-CD drive (A lot of these drives mention DVD writers, I'm hoping that includes CD reading capability-is that a common thing?)
-Budget b/w $500-700, will sacrifice "extras" in exchange for "bang for dollar."

There seem to be 2 storage options that every store carries, 1 TB mechanical drive, or 256 SSD.  I can't imagine 256 gb being large enough to use for everything, and I kind of want to avoid a mechanical drive.  512 gb SSD sounds like it makes sense to me, is this overkill, or unwise for any reason?  I don't want to have to carry around extra drives everywhere...

Anyway, here's an option I found:
"Amazon "Newest HP 15.6" Touchscreen Premium Laptop"

I don't really care too much for touch screen, but this has much of what I'm looking for for only $579.  I'm kind of leery though as it seems this is a custom build and I'm not 100% sure of the components these guys use, especially at this price.  I'd rather get a straight manufacture version if I can.

[Syonyk]

Don't cheap out on a laptop.  Cheap laptops flex, and flexing laptops break things internally in fairly short order.

You don't want 8GB for AutoCad - 16GB is a far better option.  Most modern laptops have RAM soldered on, so you can't upgrade it later.

Buy an external USB3 CD/DVD/whatever reader/writer.  You won't use it much.  They take up a ton of space in a laptop better used for batteries.

Any reasonably modern ("6th gen" or newer) CPU should be fine.

You might consider a 6 month or year old used laptop - you'll get a lot more bang for your buck.

[Johnez]

Hey Syonyk, thanks for your reply.  I've rejiggered my search and come up with a new laptop to consider:

Lenovo Flex 15.6"

No optical drive (really I hardly use it, so I'm glad you suggested I pitch that idea out), 512 gb SSD, and 16 gb RAM.  Kind of concerned about the 1.8 ghz memory though.  Refurbished unit which I'm happy about.

[Syonyk]

No optical drive (really I hardly use it, so I'm glad you suggested I pitch that idea out), 512 gb SSD, and 16 gb RAM.  Kind of concerned about the 1.8 ghz memory though.  Refurbished unit which I'm happy about.

That's quite reasonable.

1.8GHz is the processors speed, but if you look up that model #, you'll see the turbo speed is 4GHz.  Intel rates their mobile chips very slow, and lets them run faster than the "rated" speed if thermals and power are reasonable - which they will be in that chassis.

That'll handle your loads quite well, though it appears to be in-store only.

[Johnez]

^Thanks, I'm local so I can pick it up. I hope it's there by the time I pull together the funds! If not, I have a good basis for a search, thanks again.