I need something at home for extensive work on word. Don't need internet or any other functions, just word.
I don't want to spend a fortune....was looking at a max of 150. Is this realistic?. Would consider a second hand one (would I be mad?) or a refurbished one.
You'd certainly pick up an older, lower-spec laptop for that — do a search in the relevant section of adverts.ie for an idea of what you can expect (here's one about to go for €120, for example).
Netbooks are newer, so you're likely to have to spend a bit more. Also, I find the keyboards a bit fiddly. In fact, even with a normal size laptop I'd recommend you invest in a separate keyboard if you're going to be doing that much typing. You can pick them up for €20 or €30 in Tesco/Lidl/Aldi, or next to nothing secondhand.