If I wanted to buy a desktop computer that had no preinstalled crap on it..just a simple browser, world processor and spread sheet program. Also a photo storage and simple photo editing. One that was free of preinstalled special offers and lord knows what. What would you do? I’m not a gamer..just a news junky and photo hound, plus do our normal household admin stuff.
People who use Linux have recommended it. I have no real experience of it, having looked at it briefly over a decade ago.My own computer is a 20" iMac. Apple just reduced their prices a bit, but they don't offer much at the low $$ end. But they sell good computers which work and, like Linux, don't run viruses (there are some, as Obama would preface it, who want to believe that that is a mere artifact of the lesser market share of OS X and Linux compared to Windows, and some who agree with me that Unix which OS X is and which Linux derives from is just a fundamentally more sound design than what I perceive to be the Topsy-grown nature of Windows. It appears that there aren't viruses which work on Linux or the Mac mostly because Windows is a far more vulnerable, in addition to being a very extensive, target).
There are stress factors involved in computing. Windows is noted for virus vulnerability which causes you to run antivirus software, which in turn slows your computer and can be distracting or even paranoia inducing. Linux is known as cheap/free but is known for requiring tech support from friends. Apple is known for its premium pricing. But Apple is also known for good quality in hardware and software, including the appearance of the computer hardware. And if you have an Apple store reasonably handy, and most especially if you spring for one-to-one consultation ($100 gets you a session a week for a year) the deal turns out to be a turnkey solution. I will add that the base price of a Mac doesn't include a spreadsheet program or much of a word processor program; iWork costs an extra $79 and includes a presentation program as well. iPhoto is bundled with any Mac and preinstalled. Along with video editing (iMovie) and packaging (iDVD) and music making (Garage Band). Also a callendar app and a Mail app.
I have a camera designed for stills but capable of video, and I find myself selecting video a good deal. If you have farflung family as your Oldexpat handle suggests, you should have a webcam and use Skype.com to videoconference with them. Try it once, and you'll never be without it.
My bottom line is that the Mac is a way of throwing reasonable amount of money at the stress factors. I don't fret over viruses, I ask questions when I want information, I know where to get the 'puter fixed if it breaks - There is no division between hardware vendor and software vendor; any problem is an Apple problem. And I upgrade my OS if I wanna. Upgrades become available every year or two, and they aren't bloatware but typically are more streamlined than the version they replace (that is to be especially true of the next upgrade, Snow Leopard). Apple sues manufacturers who break the EULA by installing OS X on non-Apple hardware, but if you have a Mac you aren't treated like a suspect, and upgrades are reasonably priced - Snow Leopard will be even more so than most, at $29. I use Time Machine with an external hard drive, so if the internal HD fails I'll just replace it and recover - photos and all - from the external drive.
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.,