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Thinkpad, possibly a used/refurbished one. (powerful enough, cheaper, more robust)

Second this. Get a used T60/T61/X60; and put a SATA2 SSD in it. They're excellent build quality, albeit the CPU and GPU is dated (~2007-2009)

Thanks, I hadn't considered that. Are those open-box computers or ex-lease ones? (big difference when it comes to wear and tear!)

I'd imagine they come from various sources, most ex-corporate, but some ex-personal. I'd expect them to be too old for true 'open box'.