Windows 7 - OS User Interface question

I know some of these are done in a Linux Gui. I am trying to make a nice user interface for my kitchen PC. The user portal I am trying to get is something like

http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/mini1000/index.html#/Main/

or

http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/touchsmart/alt/tsalt.html

Currently I have a Via C3 933, but I do not think it has enough horsepower. Even Ubuntu is fairly slow. I just ordered a ion board and prob will pick it up later this week, so that will give me more than enough horsepower for that.

So what is the best platform/OS/aftermarket addition to create something like this?

bump???

I do not understand what you are asking for.

I am asking for a portal that is similar to that HP. Most of the portals out there are catered to HTPC's, and are not too configurable.... I have tried MCE, Meedios, and XMBC. They are okay, but not what I am looking for...

You mean content management system software? In which case there are a number available. Check this page for ideas.

Not really CMS's. Aren't CMS's used for web creation/content updates running on a server type platform.

I just wanted to create a nice user interface (as in the example), where it plays music, have big icons that I assign, weather info, etc. Basically MCE with a nice user interface, no video, limited music, etc.

Something like on the HP touchsmart software that is running on top of Windows....