Whoa there, before you go....
Verizon is extremely proprietary. So much so that they put their own, ugly and bug ridden software on their phones. You cannot blue tooth with other phones or send data between them which is very irritating. Other providers may edit software and "lock" phones, but they don't totally redo the operating systems.
They also make you sign a two year contract which is a huge pain in the butt. A contract is the norm in the wireless industry, but Verizon has relatively high prices as well. They also will not waive your activation charges, something that other providers will do. Seriously, you have to be kidding me, you're going to charge me to sign a contract with you to give you money? Unbelievable.
They do not let you change your rate plans from month to month, something that other providers do. My girlfriend found that she wasn't using as many minutes as she thought she would, changed her plan to include less minutes, and Verizon automatically extended her service plan because of that. I was furious when I heard that.
Lastly, their customer service is rude, ill-informed and just all around inept. I once had a Verizon rep tell me that I was liar when I told him that I could send ringtones to my friends' phones via bluetooth.
Just look what their own customers had to say:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/Advice/TheCustomerServiceHallOfShame.aspx
Just to be fair, I will say that Verizon has the best all around coverage I've experienced.
For the most part, you're going to find browsing the net over your cellular phone a big pain in the butt. You might want to look into getting a wireless data card for your laptop.
Good luck bro.