Newb needs advice - WIDE open choices

[shoedragon]

I've spent hours trying to get my head around this, and could spend hours more. I'm hoping I can get some clear answers to what my options are.

I'm a sales rep, and I just purchased a laptop to do my customers orders in their store's via our company web portal. This is a big move into the 21st Century, as up until now it was papers and faxes.

I was going to purchase an mobile internet stick for the laptop, but I'm learned that it's possible to use a mobile phone to do the same thing.

What is the difference in speed between a mobile internet stick and my phone? It seems kind of pointless to purchase the mobile internet stick and pay for it's data plan and a seperate data plan for my phone, when one will do.

If using the phone is a viable option, what would you recommend?

I'm currently a FIDO (GSM) customer and I have a Cingular 8125 (HTC 6700?). I don't "do" contracts, so in that respect my options are wide open.

I'm here for suggestions, but I would prefer a Windows based platform, physically QWERY keyboard and a touch screen.

With those parameters in mind, what do you recommend?

 

[Kunmui]

Ok, so tethering via the phone is it. I signed up for a data plan, and configured my Wizard/8125. But the best it can do is EDGE. I need a 3G phone, and I'm looking for suggestions.

It's gotta be GSM, I might as well stick with FIDO for now. I'd prefer a physical QWERTY keyboard and a touch screen. And I like something that will sync up with Outlook seamlessly.

Help me out here folks, give me some suggestions!