Raspberry Pi.

It's a pretty cool, cost effective device. One of my clients wanted us to build a low cost, kiosk type device to hook up to a TV. It basically served as a locked down web browser that a customer could use to get information while waiting on a sales rep.

I had one of my employees that was familiar with Linux configure it, so I have no idea on the hardware we actually used and the steps to configure it. I remember it being pretty easy for him to do. You should be able to find anything you need on tech forums. Let me know if you have any specific questions once you get going and I can try to get some answers.

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Would the required components and a 32gb sd card be all that is needed?

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So the SD card is your hard drive. The board itself comes with the CPU, GPU, and RAM. You need a charger capable of charging a microUSB port (so basically a cell phone charger will work, if you've got one lying around. But you can use a more powerful one if you plan on using a lot of powered USB peripherals. You should probably get a case, too, but it's not required. And an Altoids can will not fit. Making your own looks like it would be fun. I would caution against cardboard boxes, as they are more likely to burst into flames if the thing gets hot, but I've seen them used (I think). Lastly, it's got no bells and whistles. If you want wifi, you need to buy a USB wireless dongle. they make a universal remote IR receiver that looks pretty cool. I believe there are smartphone apps that are pretty good 10ft controllers (10ft referring to being designed for you being on your couch and across the room from your tv. It's a pretty common expression across setups like you are looking into. Forgive me if I don't define other jargon that I absent-mindedly use. Then call me out on it, and I'll explain it).

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Is a raspberry pi something I could use for web browsing?

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Yes! There are a couple of operating systems available, but most are designed with the prime intent of delivering a cheap, capable computer for very cheap. The original intent was to save schools from spending thousands on computer labs, or having computer labs if they couldn't afford to spend thousands on them, or something along those lines. So in short, they all have web browsers. The kind of wireless mouse/controller you use is up to you. I can recommend one if I'm wrong about how good the smartphone app was or you prefer an extra device.

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Do any of you currently incorporate a pi with your tv setup?

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The current holdup for me is lack of internet streaming services (Netflix, prime, etc). It's perfect for streaming local media (so that desktop upstairs with your music collection and ripped BluRays on it can be accessed through the box, for example). I've almost pulled the trigger on one several times, but I am then reminded that I have too many small boxes that already do everything I need.

Summary: They're great for what you're desiring. Best results are had when you use it for a single task. The task you want to use it for is a common one, and all the personalization you will need is peripherals for controlling it from the couch and a wifi adapter if you don't have easy access to Ethernet.

video of browsing speed.

He overclocked to 1GHz, but other videos I have seen give similar results.

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He overclocked to 1GHz, but other videos I have seen give similar results.

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Yeah, maybe over clocking and adjusting how the RAM is divided between the GPU and CPU would help.

I know that I tend to have multiple tabs open so that's probably slowing my browsing down a lot.

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I think I'm going to pull the trigger. This should make for a good learning experience.

I think of Raspberry Pi more as a tool to use as a base to build gadgets.

Unless you just want to build and personalize something yourself, I'd just take a look at an Android Stick PC. That will be just as cheap and a lot easier to set up and better for multimedia. You'd basically have access to the entire Google Play Store for all kinds of apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Watch ESPN as native apps, and you'd have access to dozens of different browsers. You would also be able to get some emulators for almost all of the older game systems from Atari 2600 through Sega Dreamcast, and use it for old video games.

It already has WiFi built in and is basically just plug and go. No big name companies are making sticks so do some research before purchasing, and get an airplay mouse/keyboard(about the size of a regular remote control) to go with it to eliminate having a full sized setup in your living room or bedroom. There are combos on Ebay and Amazon that already come with the airplay mouse/keyboard so you don't have to worry about compatibility.