What do I need?
 

I'm looking for an adapter to put on my laptop so I can access the internet in other places than my home. I don't know what it's called to do a search for it

a wifi adapter.

I just clicked on the first one I came to when I went to Best Buy's site to find you an example. Look around, read the reviews.

Does your laptop have a built in wireless card already? If it is fairly new it should be capable of picking up free wifi hot spots when you are out and about.

Are you thinking of one of those USB wifi adapters with a service plan?
like these? a few examples -
http://www.wireless.att.com/business...i-hotspots.jsp
http://www.wirefly.com/laptop-cards/

many more links-
http://www.google.com/search?q=USB+w...9141da4f416ce8

Or just a way to find wifi hot spots when you go places?

Many places in larger towns & cities have free wifi hot spots - cafes, coffee shops, fast food places (McD), bookstores..
http://www.google.com/search?q=USB+w...9141da4f416ce8

I can pick up wifi where it is offered but I need internet at my Moms place where there is no wifi available

To Jo*Mar
 

So do you have to have a monthly contract to use these things? Is there nothing that I don't have to have a contract?

hmm, yes I think for remote areas where there is no free wifi spots - then you have to pay someone.
There might be some monthly services or a so many hours that you can buy and not have to commit to a contact.

I'll try to find more info.

some charts sites -
http://www.prepaid-wireless-guide.co...and-plans.html

http://www.mobile-broadband-reviews.com/#aircardreviews

http://cheapandfreeisp.com/wireless.htm

If you're in a place that already has a WiFi access point set up (a wifi router) and it's free (most Starbucks, Mcd's, some bookstores) will have free wireless that you can use one of those wifi adapters that I linked to. You dont need a plan with that kind of adapter, because it's made to just access free internet spots.

If you're in a place where they dont have any wifi offered, or if you dont have your own wireless internet router at home then you would need to get an adapter that works similarly to a cellphone, except you dont plug it into a cellphone, you plug it into your computer. Most cellphone companies offer those now. You plug it into the computer and the computer uses it to connect to the cellphone towers/satellites to get you on the internet.

I wish there was a card that had cummulative service on it, not monthly. I don't know how often I would need to be on the internet at my Mom's. She likes to look at my pics on Facebook and we do look up insurance questions. But that's maybe 5 hours a month.

Also, do any of these devices require me to have a cell phone or buy into a particular plan? I use a simple Trachphone that I put a years worth of minutes on it, about 1000, and never use even close to that amount but 12 months is the cheapest plan.

All I know about those wifi adapters that get you internet service where there is none is pretty much what I already posted. I dont use those. My cellphone has internet on it (really basic. dont care for it much) but I have a Kindle that I can use anywhere, and it's easier to deal with than my cellphone even if it's a bit slow.

I use my ipod touch a lot for internet stuff, but my ipod touch (not an iphone) can only be used for internet in places that already provide it. I use it a lot at home where I have a router set up, and I'll take it with me sometimes when I go places that will basic free wifi internet set up.