I wonder how long it took the guy to realize he was getting burned. It can't be that hard to notice.... unless he was completely numb... then it might not be.
I think a driver is in the works for the centrino wireless, but I haven't checked on it in awhile. You can find it pretty easy on sourceforge.net or google.
if you wants something thats really barebones you could try a Zire 21 or 31... thats about as low on the totem pole you can go right now if your shopping brand new.
If you are familiar with Linux you could try a Live cd distro like Knoppix. I think knoppix has a program somewhere that lets you format in NTSC or FAT32 (Correct me if I'm wrong).
You can find ISOs here.
http://www.linuxiso.org/
Here's my modest network
That PC runs Smoothwall and sits between the Cable Modem (bottom) and Access Point/Switch (by TV)
Here's the family desktop... connect to the rest of the network via D-Link Wireless Router
My lappy... also connected via wireless