I think that the info of Ubuntu Desktop Edition(
http://www.ubuntu.com/products/WhatIsUbuntu/desktopedition )is not attractive for newbies, because the info there is quite nothing!
For example, "Desktop simplicity". Have you ever seen a complicated desktop by default install?
And " Ubuntu 'Just Works'". It is not the point! An operation system just should work! What we care about is HOE GREAT it works! So,it should be changed as "Ubuntu 'Works Amazingly'!" or something like that.
Then "Quick and easy updates". Which modern OS can't do that nowadays? As far as I am concerned, all the OSes on the market can do this. That's not attractive at all! The point is EVERY SOFTWARE you have installed from our repos can be upgraded easily with few clicks.
We should renew it!
In my opinion, the idea one is like the page of Apple, Get a Mac(
http://www.apple.com/getamac/ ). It is more clear, appealing and interesting!
For example, "You can make amazing stuff." or "Still the most advanced OS" etc. is quite attractive, isn't it?
Furthermore, Security and the choices of Freedom are the the most powerful weapon of Ubuntu. We can put more emphasis on describing that.