It didn't happen as fast as we'd liked, but when I was most active in a Linux users' group, we were pushing for either refurb'd desktops increasing Linux use, or for more makers/builders shipping with Linux preinstalled. According to StatCounter (as reported by Web Pro News) the desktop use in the US for any version of Linux has now passed 5%.
(Blogger isn't linking to the article; just go to http://www.webpronews.com and search on "Linux passes 5%".)
This is probably due to home reloads by those capable, but for preinstalls, the list of companies with offerings is pretty long. System76 and Emporer Linux are old stanbys, but RedHat as always can be ordered from Dell. There's also LinuxNow, LinuxCertified.com, Entroware, LAC Portland, Vikings, Purism, ThinkPenguin, ZaReason, Libiquity and Minifree.
Other than the often-cited reasons for this, I think two need to be specially noted. First, the Linux installers of today are much better than those of ten to twenty years ago, being more aware of more hardware platforms. Also, I'm not a gaming expert but I understand that not only is Wine vastly improved but Linux is getting something closer to red carpet treatment by the game designers and hardware engineering folk. Better late than never!!
