Canonical has specifically said that they're targetting the new users, and that if you're a power user, there are tons of other distros out there made just for you. There aren't a lot of choices for newbies, so that's the niche they're aiming for.
Out of curiosity, why do you say Ubuntu is a better server linux than it's daddy, Debian?
I tried an attempt at an answer for icedancer I think it was just now but here goes, I tried Debian years ago but the setup wasn't clicking for me. My first attempt at Linux was in 1994 with Slackware, I've tried Red Hat before the split, SuSE (liked YaST it made RPM palatable - hope I'm not repeating myself) anyway Ubuntu on the server in a CLI and on the Desktop clicks for me.
Unity works, it is still a lockout and I feel like a visitor to my Desktop since Unity. This was not how earlier Ubuntu felt with Gnome. For games (due to performance) Xfce is good and would be ok for general use I think.
Out of curiosity, why do you say Ubuntu is a better server linux than it's daddy, Debian?