Integration of Ubuntu with the latest MacBook releases is spotty. It could be much better.

Part of this is due to poor hardware selections on Apple's part.

For example: OpenGL and video driver bugs that crash the system when applications like Second Life run for more than ten seconds).

Another example: Wireless integration is very spotty and DIY.

Another example: Can't play video on new MacBooks (Santa Rosa 3.1) if you're running Compiz-Fusion, due to the MacBook video card being blacklisted by the Compiz-Fusion team.

So, no doubt, part is undoubtedly the fault of poorly matched hardware. However, I think there is also a lack of properly formulated drivers.

Making Ubuntu competitive and easy to use on new generation Macintosh computers would go a long way to giving it the elegant edge that will allow it to tromp Windows.

The Apple brand cultivates that aura of elegance.

By beating Apple at its own game, Ubuntu will own the same credibility by association, without having to do a lick of marketing.

If word got around among Apple users that Ubuntu worked better (by that I mean, more n00b friendly) than OS X, users would migrate in droves.

Porting simple applications that run iPods for Ubuntu, and horning in on other Apple products would go a long way toward undermining its exclusive status as the dominantly innovative brand.