I am a novice, too, and have wondered about having basic access to the web while I travel (so I can stop packing my laptop computer).

Do you guys mean iPad, or is there an iPod with telephone and internet functions?

If you buy a plan, what is the minimum you can expect to pay with web access - not counting Metro PCS (which is $40 a month, but lacks access outside large cities). With a new iPhone coming out, I would think older models could be a bargain, but I always worry about those monthly charges. After all, that's why they can afford to give phones away for free.

I would like the small size of an iPhone. An iPad would be a bit inconvenient and wouldn't fit in a pocket, right?