I am going on a trip soon and my husband and I share a computer, so I can't take it. Do they make anything

They used to make email-only appliances like you are describing years ago, but folks don't want gadgets that JUST read and answer email. I don't think you'll find such a creation anymore.

Also remember that many cell phone providers don't take talk minutes off your account when you use data. However, if you don't have a data package on your account, accessing the data network adds up to being tremendously expensive.

My suggestion is to find a good used wireless PDA.

I am old fashioned and when on holiday go into Internet point or Internet cafe get an Internet card and look up my post using my password and utente. obviously going to my server address. I find this a cheap solution without any risks and can be done almost all over the world. Happy holiday. Buona Vacanza.

When I went to Europe, I kept in contact by visiting "Internet cafe's"....you walk in, they assign you to a computer, and you can surf the web, check emails, etc....It only cost me like $5/hour or so (I'm sure prices vary with location).

That's the cheapest and most convenient that I know of.

I can only think of a cell phone.Sorry

You can bring your apps on a flash stick.

http://www.tinyapps.org/

and even an os that fits on a floppy

http://www.muppetlabs.com/~breadbox/software/tiny/

Huh? Make what? Huh?