Complete novice advice required here!!! Please

I am having three months off next year, going to France (middle of nowhere), and plan to buy a laptop for "up to Ł500 (give or take 10%ish).

I would like Toshiba with webcam & at least 3 ports (prob buy from PCW, as they can boost memory from 2-4 mb, whilst i'm there b/hol monday May 5th-ish).

Now the crunch, I want pay as you go access to internet. Prob Orange or AOL. I understand Ł20 per mth pay as you go set-up would give me wi-fi. Prob buy in UK.
Staying with existing ISP also (Virgin- no service in France.

I'd welcome any advice folks