The following is a list of some of Apple's System Preference Panes and where you will be able to find the same settings in Ubuntu Desktop. Most of them are self explanatory and are available in Ubuntu Desktop "System Settings" application, which is found in the Dock or in the Gear menu at the top right of the screen.
"System Settings", "Appearance" to set the background image.
"System Settings", "Brightness & Lock" to set the lock time and password requirements.
Ubuntu's ships with only one basic screensaver that locks the screen. If you want a more screensaver follow thesescreensaver installation instructions.
"System Settings", "Display" to change resolution. The big difference between this and Mac is that you have to click "Apply" to actually change the resolution. This won't be obvious if you install Ubuntu in a VM that has a very small screen size (800 x 600) because you won't be able to see the "Apply" button.
The Ubuntu Dock is called the Launcher.
"System Settings", "Appearance", "Look" tab allows you set it's size. The "Behavior" tab allows you to Auto-hide the Launcher. There areother ways to configure the Launcher appearance.
"System Settings", "Brightness & Lock" to set the lock time.
"System Settings", "Power" allows you to suspend the computer, but I'm not sure what that means.
I don't see settings for this.
"System Settings", "Details" pane, "Default Applications" tab allows you to change the default web browser, email, calendar, music, video, and photo applications.
"System Settings", "Keyboard"
"System Settings", "Keyboard"
"System Settings", "Text Entry"
This seems to be a grey area. You can read about ithere andhere
"System Settings", "Mouse & Trackpad"
"System Settings", "Printers".
For scanners, seethis,this orthis.
"System Settings", "Brightness & Lock"