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