OK, so armed with the info and insight I've picked up from your comments, spent the past two days shopping.
Was able to firmly reject some suggestions from salespeople who were pushing things I didn't need at all; and get some rational recommendations for systems in my price range.
So, I am trying to wade through the info I have gathered on several systems and narrow down choices from the following:
Toshiba Satellite M55-S135 PC Notebook
Toshiba Satellite M45-S165 PC Notebook
Compaq Presario V2310US PC Notebook (w/AMD Turion 64 Processor ML-28)
Compaq Presario V2311US PC Notebook (w/AMD Turion 64 Processor ML-28)
Compaq Presario V2306US PC Notebook
HP Pavilion DV1310
HP Pavilion DV1040 (refurbished)
HP Paviliion ZE series notebook
Again, any comments or suggestions anyone may care to make regarding any experience or ideas about any of these choices would be appreciated. TIA