I'm wondering why nobody suggested trying several Linux distros in Live CD mode. It is easiest way to try Linux distro and then decide if you are going to another distro or you will install it on HDD.
First it is always good to know the whole computer configuration, then the list of programs that you want to use on Linux.
I have Dual Boot of Win7 and Linux Mint 17 Xfce as well аs couple of other Linux distros in VirtualBox. Browsers are not the problem, you can run Chrome or any other major browser the same way as you do it on Windows.
For blocking some websites I use Domain Blocker which comes preinstalled on Linux Mint or if you want it with host file (for more advanced users there are iptables (firewall saying it simply)). Installing GUFW as GUI front end for iptables will make it easier to use it.
There is no need for average user to know commands for Linux terminal in modern distros, everything is user friendly now. Updates goes through Update Manager and user can easily adjust time period for Updater notifications hourly, daily or weakly. Software is installed through Software Manager or Synaptic for Ubuntu/Debian like distros, for others it is similar but those distros use different prebuilt programs to do it, etc.
Linux Mint comes with I must say stupid wallpaper when you install it (gray one with black linux mint letters), but that can be easily changed. Ubuntu and its Unity desktop are heavier on PC hardware, Kubuntu and other KDE distros can be to. Xfce (Xubuntu, Linux Mint 17 Xfce) and LXDE (Lubuntu) desktop environments are easier on PC itself.
Everything is adjustable, themes, icons, wallpapers and such. For stronger PC configurations there are 3D animations built in desktop environment, and as I said everything can be adjusted to user preferences.