that is the open question of all time! some high level points
Two spindle (optical, HDD - who needs a floppy anymore), 14.1 minimum screen (for the eye), full size keyboard (avoid those 90% sized keys), winXP (solid OS), and most importantly buy them both a bag that they like that has padding to protect the laptop - a couple of weeks in a std. napsack will probably kill it. Check the toshiba satellite line, dell inspiron 4100, ibm has a new R series that could fit the bill.
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