Job reason, early on my college, realize on my field I would be working on Linux a lot. I installed one on my laptop to get a head start. It was painful, Not being able to use the usual software, did not help that my university don't even use Linux. I had to keep trying to find workarounds.
I don't get the hate for Ubuntu, it just works. For those who don't care what setup in their system. Especially those who are coming from Windows or MacOS its a good stepping stone.
Internet is made of tubes!