This isn't a software problem as much as it is an OEM/hardware vendor problem. How many "normal" people get a computer and are then like "oh shucks, let me ins

This isn't a software problem as much as it is an OEM/hardware vendor problem. How many "normal" people get a computer and are then like "oh shucks, let me install that Windows software!" ? None really. They buy the computer and Windows is there. Microsoft has the deals with tons of OEMS and local whitebox vendors. Ubuntu has pretty much close to zero. Dell made a half assed attempt with ubuntu offerings from comments ive read and guys like system76 are an okay start for a boutique. If Ubuntu or whoever the hell wants to make linux popular on the desktop, they need a quality OEM strategy. From there, improving the software continually and making it usable is very important, but I think Ubuntu is at a point where many people would be happy with it.