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As a follow up, we've been running Linux Mint on this computer for about a year.  My kids are used to it and, honestly seem to use it with only a few hassles–most of which are caused by web sites/sources which insist on requiring Microsoft Internet Explorer.  In fact, I believe in a good portion of these problem sites, there would be issues running Firefox on Windows, as well.   Given the penetration of alternate web browsers–especially Firefox–this practice strikes me as just plain stupid.

Another problem is media networks (i.e. television networks) which do not acknowledge Linux.  Again, I'm stumped by this attitude.  It's not a serious issue for me, but if you like to watch your TV shows on the Internet, it's a problem, depending on the network.  Netflix, to my knowledge still blocks Linux usage.  I've read there is some issue with fears of Linux users violating copyright laws.  Of course, Netflx' protection of copyrightable material is not what you would call a rock solid system to begin with…

Other areas of the internet which my kids use work fine:  Chat, email, YouTube, etc.; and Amarok (media manager), K3B (disk burning), OpenOffice (word processing) meet or exceed equivalent Windows programs.

Conclusion:  Save the time, hassle, and expense of maintaining an MS-Win machine.  Linux Mint is a good, easy to set up alternative.