> so I cannot rip DVDs, I cannot capture streams

Would any government job with a serious enough mission to require polygraphs and security clearances actually care about this kind of kindergarten illegality.

Seems like the digital equivalent of jaywalking or rolling a stop sign. Are they also going to check up and make sure you have never burned a CD in your life, or shared a Netflix password?

Probably a used enterprise HP/Lenovo/Dell mini or sff pc (e.g. Hp Elitedesk or Lenovo thinkcentre). The 7th gen Intel CPU’s would be the sweet spot between price and streaming performance I think. They can be had for $50-80.