All good choices. When I write, i like a compact package I can take with me everywhere. I recommend an iBook g3 in the 700-900 range if your budget supports that group. If not, grab a Pismo or a TI 400 (both in the same price range).
As to BSD only, not sure why you would want to do that. If you want a good dependable system to write with that has UNIX underpinnings, you should stick with OSX. Everytime I try to move to another OS on my Powerbooks (yellowdog, darwin, Freebsd), i end up realizing that I am jumping through too many hoops to handle my normal workload, and end up back at OSX.
I actually have an iBook 500 I bought day one that I still use all the time to write articles. a great size and very sturdy. That will most likely run you under 400.00, and will handle all of the current Apple OSs and major applications (some with a little patience), have firewire and be generally nice to carry all of the time.
If you can move into the 800-900 range, maybe a rev A 12" Powerbook 867. Smallest form factor with good performance.
As to BSD only, not sure why you would want to do that. If you want a good dependable system to write with that has UNIX underpinnings, you should stick with OSX. Everytime I try to move to another OS on my Powerbooks (yellowdog, darwin, Freebsd), i end up realizing that I am jumping through too many hoops to handle my normal workload, and end up back at OSX.
I actually have an iBook 500 I bought day one that I still use all the time to write articles. a great size and very sturdy. That will most likely run you under 400.00, and will handle all of the current Apple OSs and major applications (some with a little patience), have firewire and be generally nice to carry all of the time.
If you can move into the 800-900 range, maybe a rev A 12" Powerbook 867. Smallest form factor with good performance.