I was recently in the market for a laptop PC card (well, actually an ExpressCard32 since it’s what my MacBook Pro supports) so I can get online when I’m traveling, at the coffee shop or generally out of WiFi range.

I looked in all the normal places, the local cell phone stores. I went to Verizon, Cingular and looked at Sprint online. Verizon and Cingular both wanted a mint for the cards in the store. No discount it seemed, even with a 2-year agreement. So I looked online.

Some of the cards were discounted online, but they were still expensive – really expensive. I didn’t want to have to pay $150 for a PC card and then $60 a month just for occasional internet access.

Then I remembered I had bought a cell phone from Amazon about a year ago. I found a Treo 680 there when they were first released and got it for $0.01 when the store wanted $300 before a rebate. Amazon didn’t have a rebate going – it was just a penny.

So I looked for a PC card at Amazon and viola! I got a brand new Verizon Wireless v740 EVDO ExpressCard for a penny. Plus since I’m a Prime member, I got next day air for only $3.99.

Next time you’re looking for a cell phone or PC card, check out Amazon.