Need info for initial SUN purchase

[Dale Larson]

I am about to start my fourth year of study in computer science.  I don't
have access to a UNIX box for serious work but would very much like to.  I
am mostly interested in learning what I need to know to be useful to an
employer or (preferably) whomever I do graduate assistantship work for.
Given that I need to purchase the machine myself and that my budget will
break in the fairly low thousands, I think that a used SUN may well be the
right choice.  Am I wrong?  If not, just what should I be able to do with
the box?  Open Look? (What would a bare bones system be?)  Most recent
version of UNIX?  (What is the most recent SunOS and how far back can I go
without what I learn from it being hopelessly outdated?)  Is a SUN/2 such
a dinosaur that I should avoid it at all costs?  Is there any other advice
that anyone wishes to give me (other than the obvious response that I
should have picked a real school :-)