I think I know why this bug is so repeatable and I have a fix.

Mark Shuttleworth practically stated the solution in his bug report, but in case my view is subtly different, I state it now and hope it will be considered.

Mark Shuttleworth, Canonical Ltd. et al (or a new entity) needs hardware platforms which already have Ubuntu installed, either by developing a hardware division, or partnering with a quality hardware manufacturer.  As Mark stated, "What should happen:
    1. A majority of the PC's for sale should include ... Ubuntu"

Heed the NEW in "Microsoft has a majority market share in the new desktop PC marketplace."!

When I needed new hardware in the Summer of 2006, I wanted multi-core processors in a Shuttle Computer http://sys.us.shuttle.com/Scgsupport/NewProducts.htm or Mac Mini http://www.apple.com/macmini/ or AOpen http://www.aopen.com/ type small form factor.

OS stability was the primary requirement, but I needed dedicated new hardware on which to run the OS.  For the OS, my top candidates where Ubuntu, FreeBSD, and Mac OSX.  Apple was stressing their unique and stable hardware/software integration at the time, and a dedicated graphics card was a low priority.  Apple skimps on memory in general (main RAM and Graphics card memory).

I really wanted the AMD 64 X2, but ultimately went with the Mac and OSX with 2GB RAM in spite of the 32 bit Intel Core Duo.

For Christmas 2006, I again was in the market for new hardware.  I really wanted a MacTablet convertible.  Such a beast still does not exist as this appears to be only a slate http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ModBook.  All the convertibles I considered was forcing MS Windows along with the purchase.  I did visit Ubuntu to check on tablet support.  Had I found a convertible I liked without MS Windows, I may have gone with Ubuntu; but instead I went with the top end 15" MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo (i.e. 64 bit), proving to myself that my real requirement was mobility and not necessarily the convertible tablet yet.

My next hardware purchase may yet be a convertible tablet.  Will Ubuntu be properly positioned?  My personal purchases are migrating toward mobility.  Perhaps a wearable PC is next on my horizon.  I have the 3D Visor http://www.3dvisor.com/ but that did not work out as I hoped for the Mac Mini (BYODKM) -- now I remote in.  I am considering something like http://www.myvu.com/ or something similar to Icuiti products http://www.icuiti.com/index.php?page_id=11.  Please consider this emerging hardware market to bundle with Ubuntu.

I did run Ubuntu on my MacBook Pro with VMware Fusion beta and may consider Parallels if VMware decides to charge for Fusion.  But that was only because Tersus.com wanted a particular version of Eclipse which did not run on the Mac (no Rosetta joy either).  VMware Tools did not seem "to take" BTW.

Opening Apple hardware is an enjoyable experience in itself.  Their design is awesome as well for everyday use.  I even recommended an Xserve at my workplace (the Mac Mini and MacBook Pro were personal purchases).  But I think Ubuntu can definitely compete and win in the OS arena.  I mock Apple's (Mac OSX) and Sun's (Solaris) claims of "The world’s most advanced operating system" and "The most advanced operating system on the planet" respectively, when they can't even resize a window anywhere other than the bottom right corner.

But my main point is that hardware and software go hand in hand for NEW purchases.  Position Ubuntu with "THE NEXT" hardware platform, and this bug will go away.