"... Ubuntu is by now by far the smoothest desktop experience I've had"
Is that 13.10 with Mir active (ppa install at present)? I find 12.04 good but 13.10 has issues with the hardware I use.
"...and I suspect that's the experience most users have."
I trust it is most but there are hardware combinations where the experience is not as good. Slower computers with poor graphics lead to significant lag when Super key is pressed (there is a lot happening when you invoke the Dash).
Is that 13.10 with Mir active (ppa install at present)? I find 12.04 good but 13.10 has issues with the hardware I use.
"...and I suspect that's the experience most users have."
I trust it is most but there are hardware combinations where the experience is not as good. Slower computers with poor graphics lead to significant lag when Super key is pressed (there is a lot happening when you invoke the Dash).