Editor recommendations for new users.

[Nicholas Wilson via Digitalmars-d]

So I will be doing a workshop on programming for the biology 
department at my university and I was wondering what would best 
suit the users.

The following are a must:
    support windows & mac ( the more consistent between the two 
the better)
    free
    no large install footprint, preferably simple install 
procedure (running on laptops)
    syntax highlighting
    straightforward to use
anything else is a bonus.

Whats your experience with what you use?

Many thanks
Nic