Through desktop sharing or remote desktop, if you can set that up, should be terrific.

My only advice would be to go with a laser versus inkjet printer, they now make all-in-ones at a good price and the toner carts outlast ink carts.

For the printer, we are very happy with a Brother MFC-9970CDW all in one color laser.

Why not just get them another computer with Linux pre-installed? Here are a few links to Linux laptops;
http://www.ubuntu.com/certification/desktop/make/Dell/?category=Desktop&category=Laptop&category=Netbook
https://www.system76.com/
http://www.linuxcertified.com/linux_laptops.html

... the problem is support.

With a Mac I could call a tech service to visit them and set them up.

I haven't researched it yet, but doesn't Apple provide in home service?

My parents would be able to receive free help from other relatives, too. Not just me at what for me is 3am Japan-time.

You are much more likely to get in-house service from those Linux vendors he listed. Many PC vendors have service contracts with on-site technician outfits like Unisys and TRW (even my cheapo TigerDirect system got a house call).

I own a couple Macs and all I ever heard of was shipping RMA or going to the Apple store. No house calls from Apple.

Also, Apple has become very restrictive about how OS X is distributed which is why you can no longer find it (other than upgrades) in their online store. For the most part, even getting a full working copy of it is tied to having a physical Mac. You might have to turn to a bootleg, hacked copy to get it to work within a VM, and that will be missing all of the creative/productivity apps that usually come with a Mac.

The main challenge with Linux in this context is that if you really want to help them out yourself, and you are not running your own OS that is the exact same distro and release version as your parents are, then telling them how to navigate through some mundane processes could be next to impossible.

But I recommend that you save them the $$$ and get them a pre-installed Linux system. Tracking their distro version wouldn't be that difficult, IMO.

... they do offer in home support.

And the fellows they sent to do their iPad and wireless network setup were really spot on.
After I gave them a long-in for my parents Linux box, they configured printer's network settings correctly and everything.

So, it looks like I will be using them again.

I can't go with a distro.

I need something that others can support.
Something that others can help with.

Not just me.
Not just GeekSquad.

If I get her a Mac, one of my sisters who lives a couple of states away could still help her out because she uses Macs at work... she's used it them.

And anybody else that uses Mac could answer her questions.

And if something gets dicey, I can call GeekSquad and know that everything will be under a single service contract.

Switching is not difficult and support is available.

If my 82 year old father and step-mother can do it, anyone can.

Your plan sounds good, but I'm not even sure you need to do as much as you are thinking you would need to.

... about how to deal with things like "where is the..."?

Screen sharing is important for that.

Even that they used GNOME, I still have to help them with the use of the taskbar.
They are comfortable with a pull-down menu for launching applications... but have never gotten used to the list of running application pull down list.

And because I am not a Mac user, unless I have at least a running edition in a virtual machine, I won't know that clicking a certain thing will do a certain thing. Or even that it is there much of the time.

If I cannot get a legal copy of Mac OS X, then I might have to just bite the bullet to purchase a Mac Mini and set it up here.

I have to make it so that it is easy for them.

$50 for an OS DVD and running it a VM would have been perfect for that.

Maybe an older version of Mac OS X on DVD would suffice... I'm not sure.

OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard was the last version available on full installation media - 10.7 Lion and 10.8 Mountain Lion can both be installed "clean" (i.e. on an empty hard drive as the first and only instance of an OS, not as an upgrade to an older version), but as of right now you need an existing 10.6+ installation as the Mac App Store is the only way to legally purchase Mountain Lion. Lion was available on a USB key, but Apple no longer offers that option for Mountain Lion.

It's a moot point anyway; virtualization is only licensed using VMWare on OS X 10.7 Lion or 10.8 Mountain Lion as a host and 10.5 Leopard Server or 10.6 Snow Leopard Server as a guest OS. Running OS X in any form, virtualized or not, on anything other than Apple hardware is strictly forbidden by Apple. Of course, if you were inclined to disregard SLA/EULAs, there's no technical problems with virtualizing 10.8. You can very easily find VMWare disk images with Mountain Lion already installed, all you have to do is plug and chug.

That being said, I would just have your parents buy a box and install a basic distro, then talk them through getting VNC up and running and go from there. It's what I've done with my dad and it worked flawlessly. Ideally, have the box shipped to you, get it completely set up, and then ship it back home, but that might be a little impractical.

My plan was to go the legal route, so it looks like I wont be going virtual machine route.

Shipping: expensive from here. I would need all of the hardware shipped to me here in Japan:

* computer
* monitor
* all-in-one laser printer
* webcam so they can skype (pray that it works with Linux)
* wireless keyboard
* wireless mouse

Do full integration and testing.
Disassemble everything and pack for delivery.
Pay to ship the whole thing (hundreds of $$$).
Pay appropriate customs fees and taxes.

And finally when it all arrives in the US, my almost 80 year old parents get to try to reassemble the whole thing.

No.
That wont work.

I really need to make it really clear to people that we do not want neither Windows or Linux.

There are two issues - hardware and software. Most Mac problems arise from people not understanding the software. Apple Care will support anything made by Apple. And Apple Care subscription will cover 99% of any issues that arise.

I definitely need a solution like this.

My parents could call them for software help (where are my bookmarks, can't find the photo from my garden, etc).

And my parents need answers on US-time --- not Japan-time.

This eliminates my original virtual machine requirement and satisfies the software leg of the support problem.

Excellent!

One to One will help you do more than you ever thought possible with your new Mac. First, we’ll set up your email, transfer your photos, music, and other files, and show you how to keep everything in sync with iCloud. Then, we’ll work with you to create a curriculum tailored to your goals, learning style, and experience level.

I've been using Macs since 1988 without any antivirus software and have never had a problem. I know there have been some malware that has worked against Macs in a lab environment, but in the real world, I don't think you have to worry about it.

... while malware reports are not as numerous as Microsoft, Mac is the #2 most popular target.

The cost associated with a loss due to malware is high for me. I would be forced to pay technicians to show up at their home to recover and clean everything. Too expensive.

That, said, I understand that you do not use anti-virus, but what anti-virus is popular amongst the people who do choose to use it in your circles?

Sophos and ClamXAV are free and lightweight, I run them as a sort of Pascal's Wager.