Why not just buy a laptop with no operating system and buy a Windows 7 key separately? I got one from someone on this forum for $25 when I posted for one. Keys and install CDs (you can download right from Microsoft) are for both 32 and 64-bit. It's up to you which one to install. If you are not sure, you don't even need a key to install and use Win7. You can install any version and use it for 30 days before it asks you for a key.
Buying OEM/Retail Win 7 or just a Win 7 key will allow you to install either 32 or 64 bit at will.
I avoid buying laptops in retail stores because you are forced to go with the hardware they have picked out and the OS they have installed. I've posted about this before but I just buy customized laptops online unless there is a really good sale in town. What is your price range?
As far as virtual machines go, yeah they are great but may not be intuitive for the average user. On my Windows 7 laptop I have Windows Server 2008, WinXP SP3, Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server, etc. all installed as virtual machines. You will need a lot of ram and a powerful i5 or i7 notebook CPU however.
I buy my laptops from
http://www.fortnaxnotebooks.com/ which is run by a guy in Calgary but the laptop is customized and shipped from the US. I bought mine with no OS.