what is the best use laptop to buy ?

Hi every one and Merry Xmas!

I am new here and have a question ...What would be the best used laptops that you would recomend ? I want to buy several with OS installed for my Co workers up north on camp job I was looking at getting IBM 600x models or other IBM laptops like the t20 etc ..they will be used mostly for internet surfing with high speed modem in each room ..I just wonder if you all think IBM is a good choice ?? I want to get them all the same so I can offer some services like changing a hard drive etc and keep it simple ..I have been seeing refurbished IBM units on ebay for under 300.00 ..these usually have P3 and minimal ram and hardrive with 14 inch screens ..and usually windows 98, 2000 or xp installed and are tested to work somewhat .. these are usually 2 or three years old and thats what Im looking at getting. I think this will snowball and I will have trouble supplying enough of them, again thats why I thought the IBMs would be a good choice because there seems to be a lot of them for sale ..is that because they are junk?..
hers some other brands I am looking at.. Dell cpx, Toshiba 8100, Compaq m700, Sony Vaio HP omnibookk xe2..
Thanks in advance for any advice! ..I hope to make a decision in the next week and buy several to take up north with me for my Crews in the Oil Field.. For most of us up there, having an internet connection is a life line to the world as we only get out once a month or so ..

thanks in advance for any opinions or Idias and have a safe and happy holiday season !

thanks for getting back to me t2x and t23 is greek to me! Im just learning about the different models is the 600x an old model compared to yours? ..yes I am concidering getting IBM machines but look forward to hearing the ins and outs of various brands..again the guys I want to supply computers to will mostly want to surf the internet or get an email from home ..Im aware the more bells and whistles a lap top has the more is gonna cost even if its used ... Good to hear you are happy with your t23 thats very helpful to me ..
talk to you more later..Leon in the great white north

thanks for getting back to me t2x and t23 is greek to me! Im just learning about the different models is the 600x an old model compared to yours? ..yes I am concidering getting IBM machines but look forward to hearing the ins and outs of various brands..again the guys I want to supply computers to will mostly want to surf the internet or get an email from home ..Im aware the more bells and whistles a lap top has the more is gonna cost even if its used ... Good to hear you are happy with your t23 thats very helpful to me ..
talk to you more later..Leon in the great white north