windows 7
Windows (Windows Automatic Updates).
No, your laptop does not need 4GB of RAM to run Windows 8. The basic specifications for Windows 8 is 2GB for 64-bit or 1 GB for 32-bit. 4GB would help with the processor but would not be necessary.
You would have to get a CD drive which fits in your laptop or get an external USB one which you can connect to it
I recommend a Dell laptop. I would say either a vostro or a inspiron. I would recommend inspiron though not too expensive, speedy, looks good, and has good speifications and is also a home laptop. You can also get it with Windows 7 on it too.
To enable someone else to control your workstation, which is running a Windows operating system.
The most common Laptop used is a Mac, because nobody really likes Windows anymore [accept me]. I still really don't understand what the Macs have to offer, but if you're looking for an easy, user-friendly type of laptop, I would choose a Windows 7.
Disk Management
That would depend on the laptop specifications and its processor speed and ram which is the hardware inside of the laptop. 2 GB of memory or more and Vista will be OK. Less than 2 GB stick with XP.
That would be because the Windows Vista is set up for a larger operating system than what your laptop probably has. You might have the minimum system requirements, but just because you have those does not mean it is going to run at top speed.
The closest analogue in Windows would be the High Contrast feature. You can enable this by pressing Left Ctrl - Left Shift - Prt Scn.
Refurbishing a window 7 laptop should take long and should be easy. All you would have to do is go into the settings and have everything restored to the old settings.