I'm thinking about hooking up this desktop computer via HDMI to this TV screen so that my senior parents can stream Chinese dramas online (like Youku, LeTV, tudou, etc.). They'll be using an RF keyboard and mouse to navigate websites.

I've considered buying the ASUS Chromebox, but I know Chrome OS is all web based. It would be nice to have some offline content in case my parents want to use the desktop for something, and also because it doesn't have a lot of hard drive space.

I've tested a few Linux operating systems on Virtual Box, but I'm not getting good results because...well, it's Virtual Box.

I want to know what is a good stable alternative operating system to Windows that:

• can handle the Chrome desktop web browser

• doesn't stutter or lag when streaming 720p flash videos

• is easy to switch back and forth between keyboard language inputs

• has less errors or error messages (like blue screens, driver failures)

• uses less RAM

• and is simple to use, little or no complicated settings.

I don't care if the operating system requires more hard drive space or uses 3D graphics.

Suggestions?


(Note: I'm aware those Chinese drama sites have their own tablet apps, but sometimes they block or time-out your session. Only a desktop Chrome extension can work its way around these issues. Firefox doesn't work.)

ever considered XBMC? now... KODI apparently *confused look*
Just dreamin' out loud
Thor

Most of the stuff you list (like being able to handle Chrome and 720p videos without stuttering) is more a hardware issue than an OS dependent one.
I personally, for a setup that is easy to use and stable, would go for Kubuntu 14.04 LTS.

What is your hardware recommendation?

For a simple setup like this I would go for a system with a cheap AMD APU, like the Athlon 5350 (socket AM1), A6-7400K (socket FM2+) or one of the socket FM2 A6, with 4GB of RAM.
The AMD APUs work well for multimedia stuff if you use the open source video drivers, which come preinstalled.
The rest of the hardware has no influence on your purpose.