12 volt TV....

Sprint. If you get the PDA style phones (like a Blackberry), add $45 to your monthly voice minutes, and you can do exactly this, use the phone as a modem and charge it at the same time via USB port.

Please note:I have only researched this plan, and I have not yet received a bill. I was told (by the sales rep, and I got her info) that this works with no issues. I'll update when I get a bill or two.

I'm guessing that if you are hogging extreme amounts of bandwidth, they may do something about it, but they sure can't complain if you are near 5GB, maybe even over once in a while. If you are constantly using 8-9 GB per month, that may become an issue. Maybe not. I haven't seen the fine print yet, but the research says "unlimited", which is normally defined as "without restriction".

 

Look for the "Unlimited Wireless PC Access Plan". $45 flat fee, no overage, and does not affect your talk time minutes.

 

Whatever you do I don't recommend SUPERSONIC brand at all!! If your remote contril breaks which ours did after less than 6 months owning it, you cannnot find a replacement for it, and the manufacturer i so not customer friendly!!! Trust me save your $$$ on this one and buy another brand!

 

A TV can be useful for a number of things, including local weather and news. If you are getting the computer, I still highly recommend the USB TV tuner. At least you can see where the bad stuff is. Having a visual of the tornado warning or icy conditions helps. Not to mention football/NASCAR/baseball or whatever your particular sport happens to be.

In my experience for being away from home for extended times, every little comfort counts. Entertainment cannot be overstated. It lets you feel a little more normal.

 

It's a small device, about $100, that lets you watch TV on your computer. It attaches to the computer and an antenna. Any new one should automatically be DTV compatible, and many are HDTV. Just search Google for "USB TV Tuner", and there ya go. I've even seen them at WalMart.

I've had good luck with them myself.

 

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/questions-from-new-drivers/

This section of the forum deals with exactly that subject. There are several threads docked at the top of the page which should prove to be helpful. If your question hasn't been covered yet, you can post a new one there to get your information.