Here's a few places it falls short with reaching mainstream consumers, I realize many people may not care about that, but I think it could be a viable alternative to windows or OSX for many people if it were easier to get started with and use.
1. Not clear how easy it is to dual boot install with windows for non tech users. e.g. difficult to get started.
2. Make it faster, latest ubuntu is sluggish. The UI gets non tech users excited, a few minutes of using it and they are going to bounce.
3. Make installing programs easier, I know how to get them running, I still don't know how to get them properly installed. Average Joe has no chance.
4. Support all common user tasks out of the box, for example viewing videos online.
To me it feels like Ubuntu is 90% of the way there, just a few things stop it from being a good alternative (these things of course are probably not trivial to fix, but I would say they are critical).
1. Not clear how easy it is to dual boot install with windows for non tech users. e.g. difficult to get started.
2. Make it faster, latest ubuntu is sluggish. The UI gets non tech users excited, a few minutes of using it and they are going to bounce.
3. Make installing programs easier, I know how to get them running, I still don't know how to get them properly installed. Average Joe has no chance.
4. Support all common user tasks out of the box, for example viewing videos online.
To me it feels like Ubuntu is 90% of the way there, just a few things stop it from being a good alternative (these things of course are probably not trivial to fix, but I would say they are critical).