Then again if the user was to quote "new to computers" is windows the best option? The Linux kernel has so many drivers pre-installed its a breeze to install in most cases if you have standard equipment (and let's face it if manufacturers weren't so windows orientated, everything would work out of the box).
I spend less than an hour doing a total install of Linux, including office software, drivers, photo manipulation and have repositories of thousands of useful software packages at my fingertips, all free. Doing a windows from scratch install takes 6 - 7 hours if you're lucky. No internet drivers for the motherboard....... So many other driver updates that each require a system reboot..... then the windows updates and version updates...... and once you've done that..... Anti virus and other security software (the latter, the average novice wouldn't have a clue about)..... then the installing of the separate packages (remember no central repository)...... And who explains the importance of keeping each of these software products up to date...... And the importance of scanning for nasties?
Nah, this is windows marketing nonsense. I have installed Linux on people computers and they have, after a few minutes training, commented how simple it was. They can cope with the updates as most modern distro's warn when they are available. Most modern distros come pre-loaded with all the software that the average Joe need... surfing, emailing, photo- management etc.
I think if Linux was the default, manufacturers would provide all the drivers (makes marketing sense to me after, all who wants to buy a machine that doesn't work?) and computing would be easier. There would still be room for those that provide a great product and charge for it ie Corel Painter and as they were paid for products would encourage them to provide something special!