1) I love my LC2. Great box, but I wouldn't advise buying one for more than about $10.

2)NICs are quite easy to find and work on either the LC2 or LC3, and probably the 475.

I'd say get whatever's cheapest, but if you're thinking about high RAM apps then get a LC3 or 475, because they can support a LOT more RAM than the LC2's 10mb.