Experts Say Chinese Filter Would Make PCs Vulnerable

NYT ^ | 06/13/09 | ANDREW JACOBS

[Freemeorkillme]

I find Macs to be a bit on the pricey side, but OS is pretty reasonable.

Linux is a fine choice. Runs on just about anything from a wristwatch to an Xbox to a toaster... you get the picture. I runs very nicely on Apple boxen as well.

If having something portable is also a consideration, as for the usage you described, consider laptops(particularly, netbooks) would fit the need. They do come pre-installed with the software you described and a flavor of Linux.

There is also FreeBSD, OpenBSD, etc., the last probably being the most secure OOTB(Out of the box), but as with any OS, security of an OS is really only as good as the user. /abate-the-flame-caveat.

How does your current LAN/home setup look? Describe it on a new thread, ping ShadowAce and you'll get some additional info. For example, you have a printer? networked or attached to a PC(if so is it shared)? Do you have a “server” on the LAN? etc., etc.,