What computer to buy for the RV?

As Janss said, see if your laptop will or can be adapted for wi fi. If not, I suggest getting an inexpensive laptop. I own a android based tablet that really works pretty well, but for me, I wouldn't want it to be my only way of accessing the internet while traveling in my TT. I prefer to carry my laptop as well as the tablet. But, that's because I use the laptop for photo work as well as financial stuff.

If you only want to surf the internet and take care of email, then a tablet may be all you need.

Good luck!

How old is your laptop? Is it wifi capable (i.e. with built-in wifi card)? If not you could buy a USB wifi adapter. They are not expensive.

I have a grandfathered plan with Verizon and pay $20 per month (only when I need it) to turn my phone into a wifi hotspot.

There are several decent and perfectly sufficient laptops now in the $300-400 price range. We bought a Samsung.

I hate tablets in lieu of a laptop with keyboard. I paid about $400 for my HP a while back and it has everything that is needed. it would be $300-350 now.
bumpy

My wife and I are both PC people, but we purchased an Mac I-pad about a year ago and use the WiFi hotspot on our HTC (AT&T) phone. It works well. We have internet access on the phone, but I like using a bigger screen, so the I-pad works great. Now, granted, we don't do spreadsheets, uploading and stuff like that on either the phone or the I-pad, but for on-the-road, camping, this works very well for us.

Agree with donn0128 that depending on your needs a tablet might be best. If you need Microsoft type of applications then look at the new Surface tablets.

Depending on what your wants/needs are a tablet might be your best choice. As for t ed thering. Which droid and what phone service? Tethering is a good alternative for many

Not sure who you get your phone service through but SOME provide the ability for your Droid to serve as a WIFI hot spot with no additional charges. T Mobile is one who does this but coverage is not as good as a couple of the big boys offer in rural areas. Probably no difference in most metropolitan areas.