On the 2300c question: I had 8.6 and MS Office 2001 running on a 2300c (max RAM, CF drive) for a while, and it was perfectly usable as a writing tool. Leaner software programs like ClarisWorks 4 were actually very snappy.

So, as Trash says, the trick is to use the right software. A 2300c will never be a hotrod, but it is not a total dud either. Depends what you use it for.