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Windows vs. Ubuntu — Dell's Verdict
Barence writes "Remember how Dell put up a website declaring Ubuntu was safer than Windows, only to later change its mind? Well, the company has gotten right back into the Windows vs. Ubuntu debate with a highly sophisticated website arguing the pros and cons of each OS. People should choose Windows, argues Dell, if: they are already using Windows, are familiar with Windows, or are new to computers. People should choose Ubuntu if they're interested in open-source programming. Brilliant."
Your point is more insightful to my mind then they give you credit for. For a 'casual (new) end user', they won't know the value or benefit of either OS. Their needs are more result/goal focused and specific like (I want to play games), or (I wan't to check email and browse the internet), rather than (I'm interested in the philosophy of Open Source and it's associated communities).
The site is simplistic, I'll give you that. Almost too simplistic as it limits the choices users make. I would think an approach with a few simple 'goals' in mind would have been better served, like
Do you intend to play store bought games
Do you plan to use it to check e-mail and browse the internet
Do you plan to use your PC with productivity apps like Office
Do you have plans to use your PC for media applications like authoring music, video, or other artistic applications
Possibly from those, give them the option to browse examples of each, like Office, OpenOffice, various game examples like Bioshock 2 or Halo, etc. New users won't understand anything other than simple goals, and it's not realistic to assume they will quickly grasp everything needed in order to make the right choice.
From those, give certain points based on user goals, where some might be mutually exclusive (for instance, a 'gamer' choice would exclude Ubuntu under normal circumstances, although they could certainly try it later once they have a better grasp, so Windows would be a good fit there), and before anyone goes there, I understand you can get games running under linux, but you certainly wouldn't expect a beginner to do so. PC's can be overwhelming enough to new users.
They could also list the benefits of each in terms the user could understand. For instance, cost of software, software support, availability of software. Each choice represents both pros and cons in each of those areas. Let the user go as deep as they wan't, or leave it as simple as a few questions to be answered and spit out a choice based on those answers.
I see that page as at least a step in that direction. Could have been done better, but I don't think it's a slap on the face of Ubuntu (at least not directly).