The new laptops we consider buying do not have phone jack to connect to the internet. They expect wireless or cable or ethernet connection. We were told that we could purchase an an adpater which will be helpful on our move to the new service. Any suggestions?

Its not that they don't have a phone jack, it's that they don't have a modem. You can get an external modem if you wish to use dialup.

Agreed, there is no dial up modem in them now, so you will have to buy one of those, and then it will plug into your computer