Short while ago got a new Pentium M Dell Inspiron - 1024MB memory, 40GB HDD, 128MB graphics card.... I'm so far very impressed with it, beast of a machine. And the screen is absolutely amazing.
My fiances family own one of these "no purpose" businesses. It's like a small stationary store. They just about break even mostly with local people coming in and buying. Their running costs are very low - its part of their house - and been in the family for 50 years or so. And it keeps the wife and obasan busy (and happy)