Hmm. I'd have to do more research. My kids are Mac users, and I got my daughter a top-line Powerbook when she went to college. It has seen a LOT of use, and looks like someone took it to a war zone.

I can give some general advice:

-- Durability is a big factor, but the truly shockproof systems are very pricey.

--Buy the maximum capability you can. Memory, disk space, processor, graphics. This will set you back a lot more than just getting that $800 job, but you will thank me profusely three or four years from now.

--Of course, it should have WiFi.

--Backup is always an issue with a laptop. I'm using online backup service (50 bucks a year) that is only available for PCs so far. I would get this service in a minute for my kids if it was Mac capable. Laptops are thief magnets, and data can be lost for other reasons. An offsite backup solution that runs in background whenever you're online could be a lifesaver.