If you're looking at those guitars in the $200 range I'd highly recommend you also look at the Yamaha FG700S. It has a solid spruce top which will sound much better than a laminate top. I've played them at Guitar Center and they play and sound very nice for a beginners guitar. I'd tend to stear you away from the Epiphone and Fender acoustic guitars because I don't think the cheaper Fenders sound very good and the Epiphones, while they have decent sound, have very chunky feeling necks. I really like the Yamaha, Ibanez, and Takamine acoustics better in the low price range. If you can find an Art & Lutherie or Walden guitar they are pretty good low cost options too. I wouldn't pay extra for an acoustic electric because you have the added expense of the electronics and an amplifier that will mean you're getting a lower quality acoustic guitar for the money. Just get a plain acoustic with a solid spruce top that feels and sounds good to you. If you really do want a decent low cost acoustic electric that plays pretty nice, check out an Ovation, but keep in mind that you won't get a very good acoustic electric under $300.