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Andy, I bought a laptop for much those same reasons: be able to stay in touch while on the road (gotta have my Hunt Chat fix, ya know!) and I bought a Toshiba at Best Buy. After rebates, it was only $650.
It has a hard drive as big as my desktop, very readable screen, a 56K built-in modem and an 812-something or other wireless card that lets me get high-speed wireless at most hotels, motels and KOAs.
The only drawback I have discovered is that it doesn't have an RS-232 serial port, having three USB ports instead. That means I can't hook my GPS unit to the laptop for map updates or finding geocaches while on the road. But that's the only drawback.
I'd suggest you do check the battery life of any unit you might buy. Mine gives me two hours use if I'm not on wireless or using the CD/DVD drive. But I seldom use it where I can't plug it in.
You might also look at the reconditioned business units on eBay or at some computer shops. Good deals if you don't need the latest gizmos. But insist on Windows XP or the latest MAC system, wireless ability, a modem for hardwire hookup, and good battery life.
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