Interesting. Instead of using laptops, which can be easily broken or stolen, how about a "ruggedized" stationary unit. Many businesses have old fashioned coin operated video games; you could have a coin (or ATM card) operated computer that could be used for games, surfing, emailing, or whatever.

My only problem would be liabitity, what would i do if someone were to damage my unit? i would be renting them to say a coffee place, no coffee place is going to want to pay for liability.

That's why I suggested that they should be ruggedized. Old fashion arcade videogame units where built very rugged and could tolerate tremendous abuse. You should try to develop an equally rugged computer. Being that it doesn't have to be as light and portable as a laptop, this might not be that hard.

How about toughbooks?