I just got a new job (YAY!) and I think I'm going to need something that will let me check e-mail and the web when I'm traveling. But I don't want a laptop, since I just bought a new desktop and really only want to use that. I have no idea what I'm doing, though, and could really use some help.

Here are my questions:

I have Verizon Wireless as my phone provider, and I really like it. Naturally, I just signed a new contract and got a new phone over the summer, and now I find I need more. But I've heard that I can buy a phone anywhere and make it work. Is that true? Is there any way to have two cell phones using the same number? I really like my cell phone and don't want to use a Blackberry all the time if I don't have to.

If I can buy a unit (for lack of a better term) elsewhere, what am I looking for? Blackberry? Palm Treo? Something like that? What's a "Smartphone"? The listings on Ebay are utterly mind-spinning, and in any event I've never used Ebay and find that intimidating enough.

What I'd really like to do is rent a Blackberry or Palm Treo or something just to use on business trips and vacations. Anyone know if that's at all possible? Or maybe I can rent a laptop?

God, I feel like such a dork. All this new technology is finally making me feel old.

Have you thought about just getting a PDA? I think those can be used to check internet/email. If so, that would probably work best, since you already have a phone.

I already have a Palm PDA, a Zire model. Is that the sort of thing you're talking about? If I had a new one of those, are you saying it can access the web? How does that work?

I just looked at Palm, and their Treo looks to me like a Blackberry. What's the difference? And it's $400!! yikes.

I already have a Palm PDA, a Zire model. Is that the sort of thing you're talking about? If I had a new one of those, are you saying it can access the web? How does that work?

I think you can. Of course, I think you'd have to buy service or have some form of free wireless, but a lot of the new ones can access the internet.

I just looked at CircuitCity.com, and you can get a Palm TX for $279.00, and it's WIFI capable.

Ooh, the Nokia Internet Tablet looks great! It comes with a built-in wireless card and costs about $360.00 right now.

Thanks, L. I think this is probably is the way to go, since I do need a new PDA and would prefer NOT to combine it with my phone. And it seems a lot more reasonably priced than a whole-shebang unit.

Now, if a machine is Wifi-equipped, does that mean I just need to find a WiFi hotspot and I'm online? I was looking at the Palms and they seem to have this feature already in.

Can you look at this and let me know what you think? It looks cool!

Thanks, L. I think this is probably is the way to go, since I do need a new PDA and would prefer NOT to combine it with my phone. And it seems a lot more reasonably priced than a whole-shebang unit.

Now, if a machine is Wifi-equipped, does that mean I just need to find a WiFi hotspot and I'm online? I was looking at the Palms and they seem to have this feature already in.

I'm not sure. You may have to route it through your phone or something, but that should be simple if your phone has Bluetooth.

Can you look at this and let me know what you think? It looks cool!

I like it, but again, I don't know a heck of a lot about PDAs.

I use a Blackberry and a cel phone separately. My Blackberry is a few years old. I'm told that the cel service with that model is not as good as with the newer models. I think it would be more convenient to have both services combined into one device (one less thing to keep up with or weigh my purse down.)

Or you can freak everybody out and use a notepad and pencil! (or if your really cocky you can use a PEN!)

hehehehehe

Or you can freak everybody out and use a notepad and pencil! (or if your really cocky you can use a PEN!)

hehehehehe

Believe me, I would. But I really do need to be able to check e-mail from places other than my home or office from time to time. In past years I've done things like go to the library, but that won't work everywhere.

I have a blackberry, and also had a treo and smartphone and pda. The blackberry is the easiest one to use and so far has been the most reliable. It is like having a little computer with me all the time. My partner is a doctor (I am a teacher), and this way we can keep in touch better than by just using a phone.

This discussion has really helped, y'all. I just ordered a Palm TX handheld which should do everything I need it to do without making me change phones or learn too much new stuff. Thanks!!

I feel so goofy, I was prepared to give you my seedless blackberry jam recipe! Wrong kind of berry me thinks.