[matthewlehner]

Back in my PC/Windows days (~3 years ago) the aesthetics of all the linux distros I tried made me uninstall them. Something about the fonts just drove me crazy and I couldn't handle using them. For me, on an individual app basis, it really depends on the function. There are apps that look great but all the chrome makes a horrible UX, generally that is more likely to drive me away. The aesthetic should be at a certain level, but beyond that it's more about the UX for me.

[tricolon]

This is just about the only thing keeping me from using a Linux distribution over OS X.

[billpatrianakos]

It's funny you mention that because I use both Linux and OS X but not on the same machine. I feel my Mac is too pretty to sully with as a dual booting system. I know it's nuts but that's how i am.

I'm one of those who stayed away from Linux for UI (read: ugliness) reasons. It took me a long time before I became comfortable with it. I finally stumbled on Crunchbang Limix which gave me all the great things I loved about Debian in a light system with OpenBox as the window manager. I mention this because my Linux machine still has an ugly UI but I like it. Why?

I think it's because it embraces its ugliness. It's meant to be light and fast and is all about function over form. So now my Lonux machine is used almost exclusively for getting things done. I mean really freaking working hard. I definitely get things done on my Mac but I use it for pleasure (maybe leisure) whereas the Limux is For Work Only.

I think a UI can put you in a certain mentality that affects how you work. In a world where you've got two UI's that both have equally great UX (because the two don't always exist together) the subjectively prettier UI will probably lend itself better to play time whereas the "ugly" one will get you more focused on the task at hand.