How much of a netbook needed for jukebox?

Like to know what oppinons are as to smallest (read cheapest) Netbook needed to use with external HD for dedicated server to be fed into USB based DAC.Need Atom?2 G Ram etc.Also chime in on fave shells.Windows hassle,Itunes needs plug in for FLAC,Winamp took over my computer etc.Need to get something up and running.
Cheers
Chazz