If you are looking something smallish,light & reliable to watch dvd's,surf etc
then i would recommend either the IBM T23 or T43.
They can be had cheap as chips from Fleabay at great prices.
T23
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IBM-T23-Lapto...14&_trkparms=72:1690|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318
T43
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LENOVO-IBM-T4...14&_trkparms=72:1690|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318
Larger HDD can be found cheap & can be used either internally or externally
with a caddy which should set you back around £8
Extra Ram is getting cheaper too.
I had my old T23 for 4yrs before moving on to a T61.The t23 was 3yrs when
i brought it & only needed the cooling fan replacing at a cost of around £10
posted.