NEW UPDATES! Zorin OS 17 vs Mint | Which is better for new users?

[@purpasmart_4831]

I think Zorin OS has a much better UI, that alone can help new users out. First impressions matter!

[@easymoney480]

Too many "pro" features in zorin os come standard in linux mint

[@Nemesis-db8fl]

​@@easymoney480doesn't matter you could always find an open source software on the internet

[@dragonballjiujitsu]

@@easymoney480 Such as? As far as I know the only "pro" features are a few different desktop layouts and a handful of software anyone can download in 3 minutes.

[@viveksreedharan88]

Absolutely! That's a very valid point..Mint is fully free.

[@dragonballjiujitsu]

@@viveksreedharan88 So is Zorin unless you want to pay for the pro version. The core and lite versions are completely free.

[@raderator]

Coming from Windows or Mac, most Linux distros look old and frumpy. Zorin got me to switch by being the first distro that looked like a commercial OS.

[@konradzuse4778]

This is really funny, because: coming from Linux, Windows and (especially) Mac look old and frumpy.. (seriously)

[@p0358]

@@konradzuse4778 Windows 10 looks old and frumpy, but I can't say the same about Windows 11 and later Mac OS's. If anything, it's KDE that starts to look dated, followed by other DEs besides Gnome that looks very nice.

[@illegalquantity]

@@konradzuse4778 Linux looks old or kindergarten styled. Windows looks like Android with windows and normal icons. MacOS looks cutting edge.

[@konradzuse4778]

Sorry, but none of the important Desktops looks more antiquated than MacOS. That's the price MacOS has to pay for its large number of regular users. @@illegalquantity

[@Boz1211111]

@@konradzuse4778 fair point. im used to windows and it works good and i dont think its old and frumpy. in fact im getting mad when they want to make it more modern because that is removing functionality for me. most likely i like zorin because linux is new and minimalistic ui helps me learn. who knows maybe i later change for more advanced distro

[@AdventureSMBW]

Ive given Zorin to all my home users. Never had an issue. Ive given Mint to all my business customers. Never had an issue.

[@GigAero]

Why not Zorin for business users too?

[@ADeeSHUPA]

​@@GigAero あっぷ

[@williamhughes1067]

I'm relatively new to Linux and have tried both Zorin OS Pro and Linux Mint. I gravitate toward Zorin OS because of the "fit and finish" benefits you describe. Mint just feels more primitive to me when I compare it to Zorin OS, although I understand that's not really the case under the hood. I would like to add that my favorite distribution, however, is Fedora, but I consider Zorin OS a close second.

[@WVWVW1]

I've heard good things about Fedora? What does it allow you to do? I want the opporunity to have a wide range of file directory and UI uh applications.

[@williamhughes1067]

Fedora is more cutting-edge than Zorin OS. However, it is not so "bleeding-edge" that you need to be a Linus tyro to use it. That is probably why it is Linus Torvald's personal choice above all other distros. I have to agree that it is probably your best bet.

[@WVWVW1]

Ah ok. What do you think of Solus? Any specific distro best for gaming and basic office work? I was originally going to use Mint but Solus seems interesting. Does Zorin have any I guess bumpyness? I might wait untill I get a functional CPU for my desktop and use a cut down windows 10 or 11 on my laptop. @@williamhughes1067

[@tomasbarek2852]

I personally use Fedora Workstation KDE spin and I switched from Mint (which I still use on other computers) and If I were to recommend an OS, I would recommend Mint. It has pretty much everything you need preinstalled, the codecs, the LibreOffice suite, great multimedia players, backups and huge Debian repository - wide software selection and I personally still prefer APT (or miss?) over DNF. However I must admit that after watching this video and seeing Zorin in action, it is really another awesome OS. I absolutely agree with what was said in the video - Cinnamon in Mint allows more customization, while Zorin is more polished and minimalistic - yet it does not lose much in personalization and customization. I personally prefer some more customization options here and there, that is why actually use KDE on Fedora now. And if something goes the wrong way with Fedora or Red Hat, I am returning to Mint or LMDE for sure. Anyways, thank you for your time and great review!

[@konradzuse4778]

The integrated file search alone would lead me to Zorin.

[@raderator]

Zorin is still the only distro that looks like they used professional graphic designers, like a commercial OS. So it's not a letdown when coming from Windows, Mac or Chrome OS. I wish the major PC makers would get together and develop OEM Linux and put some money into it to make it look nice.

[@WhatzHappeningNow9]

I agree with you on this, a lot of Linux distros look like their UI were designed by engineers and not real designers. But Gnome looks pretty good and KDE is getting there.

[@Felipe-rn1gf]

@@WhatzHappeningNow9 fr

[@gnericgnome4214]

if I want an OS that looks and acts like Windows or MacOS... I would get Windows or MacOS.

[@taidee]

Zorin is nice, I've ran it in VMs for quite a while, thanks for the review.

[@Alan-rt3se]

I'm a life-long Windows user who tried both Linux Mint and Zorin in the past, and struggled with the need to use the Terminal to get everything working. But when Zorin OS 17 came out, I gave it a try, and this is the first Linux distro which has not required me to use the Terminal whatsoever, and I've installed everything I need to do the same things I am also doing on Windows. I set my computer up with a dual boot option, so I can boot into either Windows 10 or Zorin OS 17. Now that Microsoft has made Windows 11 more and more unattractive, I may switch entirely to Zorin next year, when support for Windows 10 comes to an end. I suspect millions of other Windows users may make the same decision.

[@davidtoth6568]

Zorin 17 is still locked in terminal 😅

[@rockyraab8290]

For people who have never even heard of Linux, I recommend: For diehard Win 7 users, try Zorin. For those sick of Win 10, try Mint. I have just the opposite opinion of these two desktops - which is the first impression a new user gets. Zorin looks simpler, plainer, more basic. Mint looks more advanced. True newbies will be comfortable with either, based on their long-learned Windows exposure, but first impressions count. I'd bet that the vast bulk of computer users do very little more than access the internet with maybe some basic "office" work on the side. For them, it matters very little what OS is running when all they do is boot up and open a browser.

[@ShadowPriestBear]

for w10 = Zorin Core for w7 = Zorin Light

[@kuhluhOG]

ok, and what do you recommend for newbies to Desktop usage meaning no exposure to Windows, macOS or a Linux distribution (just to a phone)

[@ShadowPriestBear]

@@kuhluhOG Zorin lite no doubt.

[@brennenraines51]

they say, they are good for beginners but getting a copy of Mint without being scared off by the huge warning to verify SHA is a trick, the instructions on how to verify on windows look scary and most people would stop right there, i was. I ended up going with Zorin for my first because they didnt have any mirrors and it looked like the only copy of the iso was on Zorin's website. Its a good operating system, i learned alot about the basics and then Linux didnt seem so scary anymore. I have yet to try mint, i installed it today.

[@perfectlyroundcircle]

I am just very happy Linux has come such a long way. Both distros look great, and there are fewer reasons to use Windows.

[@beanbag345]

Appreciate the video, looking at both of these, used Zorin the past, a few years ago, nice to see an update and a recommendation

[@MrOrtmeier]

I'm on LMDE 6 and cold boot runs at a little over 900mb. Not super light but better than Ubuntu which was using 1.6GB cold. Zorin have done a good job with this release and I think people coming from a Mac would be better suited to Zorin. Whereas Windows users might find Mint more familiar.

[@ChaiBronz]

Just checked and same for me. LMDE6 at 900mb on bootup. This includes the software update checker and gnome-terminal w/ Htop running.

[@pfitz4881]

@@ChaiBronz Yep, same for me.

[@Komanturne]

I consistently recommend Mint to new people; and I have been meaning to try ZorinOS, currently running Windows on my main PC (for compatibility with editing software that are harder on Linux) and Mint on my slightly older PC. Can't wait to try ZorinOS :)

[@viveksreedharan88]

Trust me buddy! You can try Zorin. But don't try to look for all features of mint. You may find certain features missing. Linux mint has update manager which makes a lot of things easy including managing kernels. I didn't find that convenience in zorin.

[@ShadowPriestBear]

I feel the added value of Zorin is superior than mint.

[@viveksreedharan88]

@@ShadowPriestBear my point here is we can't compare an apple 🍎 with orange 🍊. Both are unique.

[@powerpopjoey]

Outstanding review. I'm a new Linux user and I went with Zorin. Great user experience. Everything works exactly as i hoped it would.

[@omfgihopethisworks]

Did you get the Pro version?

[@BNLReactions]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 🚀 *Introduction to Zorin OS 17 and Linux Mint 21.3* - Introduction to choosing a Linux distribution for new users. - Mention of Zorin OS and Linux Mint as popular choices for beginners. - Overview of the video's goal to provide thoughts on Zorin OS 17 and compare it with Linux Mint. 01:38 🖥️ *Installation Process and Development Lifecycle* - Both Zorin OS 17 and Linux Mint 21.3 use the same ubiquity installer. - Mention of their common base on Ubuntu 20.04 with distinctions in development timelines. - Discussion on Zorin OS 17 having service pack updates for kernel and driver compatibility. 03:09 🌐 *First Impressions: Desktop Environment* - Zorin OS 17 noted for a polished, modern, and spaced-out interface. - Linux Mint 21.3 desktop described as standard with more granular details. - Comparison of UI elements, menu, system tray, and overall aesthetics. 07:04 ⚙️ *Performance Insights* - Remarkable performance of Zorin OS 17 with RAM usage under 1 GB at cold boot. - Linux Mint 21.3 also praised for responsiveness with a focus on Spartan functionality. - Mention of Zorin's optimizations for a smoother and fluid user experience. 10:18 🎮 *Gaming Performance Comparison* - Brief comparison of gaming performance, acknowledging Zorin OS having a slight advantage. - Recognition that neither distribution is explicitly built for gaming. - Emphasis on Zorin OS delivering a slightly better gaming experience in superficial testing. 11:42 🛍️ *App Selection and Installation* - Zorin OS praised for a polished GNOME Software Center with support for Flatpak, Snap, and Deb packages. - Mention of Zorin's seamless integration of Windows app support. - Acknowledgment of Linux Mint's functional but somewhat aged software manager with more customization. 14:39 📱 *Integration with Hardware and Smartphones* - Both Zorin OS and Linux Mint discussed for using similar backend tools for hardware integration. - Recognition of Zorin Connect for smartphone synchronization out of the box. - Acknowledgment that Linux Mint can achieve similar functionality but requires separate installations. 16:03 🛠️ *Quality of Life Improvements and Longevity* - Discussion on Zorin OS having quality of life updates and service pack updates. - Concerns raised about Zorin OS being based on an older Ubuntu release and potential hardware compatibility issues. - Acknowledgment of Linux Mint following closely behind Ubuntu for hardware compatibility. 17:56 ✨ *Conclusion and Recommendation* - Zorin OS recommended for new users due to its curated and polished experience. - Personal preference for Linux Mint highlighted for users seeking more configuration and customization. - Overall acknowledgment that both Zorin OS 17 and Linux Mint 21.3 offer positive experiences for Linux users. Made with HARPA AI

[@احمداحمد-خ7ظ8ط]

Thank you

[@iremiabliss]

Thanks for the effort even with A.i, much appreciated

[@iconian1387]

Thank you for this list, but you missed maybe the biggest difference that stood out to me between these OS's: at 12:20 he talks about how Mint has a "snapshot" feature that lets you rollback system changes, much like Windows; Zorin apparently lacks this. I've had a number of system problems down through my years of using Windows, and being able to rollback when something goes wrong is something I consider pretty vital.

[@rudolfecker7691]

I've used Windows since the year dot and numerous Linux flavours since 2000. I slowly settled down being a regular Mint user around Mint17. I've tried all Zorin versions, as an alternative to Mint, since the original Zorin OS and recently trialed the latest version on a standalone laptop. After more than two weeks of trialing I gave up on it's numerous glitches and reverted to the solidity of Mint 21.3. Sorry, my opinion is that Zorin's claims of flashy supremacy are still empty promises. A trendy graphical appearance is one thing but above all an OS needs to be reliable

[@gordangrgic7532]

I have been using linux mint for daily driver for years, yesterday I tried Zorin OS 17, I think Zorin Os 17 is the best linux distro for 2023

[@binaryboyo9674]

Excellent review as always. It's bit like the old Holden vs Ford debate although they are now both defunct. The thing that impresses me is that there are options and Not just 'one size fits all' especially good for new new users. So I'll be trying Zorin alongside Pop and the Mint/s on my systems and then gravitate to the most suitable one. Always look forward to your vids so can't wait for the next one. Have a warm/hot silly season. 🎄🏄‍♂ 👍

[@mikefromwa]

I don't recommend distros anymore, what I recommend are desktops. Currently I suggest people try something with Cinnamon on it as it's an easy transition from Windows. These days that usually means Linux Mint. Zorin OS certainly looks slick, though.

[@oskar417]

i have distro hopped since 2014? linux mint is the only distro that feels like like an alternative to windows and mac to me. sure other linux distros look better have more flashy features, but linux mint is well rounded like mac and windows.

[@SgtThiel]

I love mint, it is super intuitive and user friendly, but I am tired of the windows xp vibes and title bars in general. it needs to get on with the times and start looking good. I am currently trying Zorin OS and am happy so far, nice looking, responsive ...

[@InkyBlitz]

Flat glossy ui isn't "good" imo

[@CTSFanSam]

UI is just like art. I am just fine with Mint. It agrees with my eye. Title bar? I don't really care, I am using the stuff in the window (client area).

[@ericb8150]

I am fairly new to Linux and exploring distros. Zorin was so hyped - i tried it and liked it. I was hesitant, but finally got around to Linux Mint, and I absolutely LOVE it! My other favorite , when I want the bells and whistles , is Kubuntu. I came to Linux to get away from Windows for better, more customizable features, control and stability - that i do not get from Windows. I give Zorin 17 credit 4 improving speed of performance over 16. But I'll be waiting on Linux Mint's new release in a few months.

[@ShadowPriestBear]

I feel Zorin runs perfectly and the UI is perfect.

[@SgtThiel]

@@paxalotin I'm that case they have a KDE image

[@towel9245]

Thanks for the overview! I didn't know that it can run with just 1GB of RAM, that's impressive. Hardware compatibility per the older LTS is somewhat of a concern, but I don't have anything that new, and the overall package looks great. So long as "it works on my machine" 😅, I'll be happy.

[@marufbepary100]

I am a Fedora Workstation user and I would recommend Zorin. It is a great intro to Gnome in general so if people like the concepts of Zorin but don't like the outdate stuff, they can just use another Gnome based distro and replicate what they like.

[@ShinetoZeroX]

Without a question, since I've tried both, I would straight up say Zorin OS, It's just a better user experience, more compatibility. and easier to understand, especially if you're not familiar with Linux

[@Crystawth]

I'm running two Intel NUCs from 2013, one on Zorin 16.3, and the other on 17. Zorin is very usable and they make very good TV media boxes for youtube/jellyfin content.

[@cyclepath2519]

Recently bricked zorin, switched to mint for the snap shot feature. Probably my fault, but it’s a nice feature to have.

[@iconian1387]

Once I he mentioned the snapshot in the video (12:20), that became quite a bit more important to me than anything else mentioned.

[@DopeKing]

I've used both distros, I find both pretty good, never had problems with any of them, it's just that I'm too fond of the asthetic of Mint, I'm usually a fan of old looking things, and if I can have something that doesn't look too modern but with modern features, it's a huge factor for me, but both of them is pratically the same in usability and stability, things under the hood, for most people, won't make any difference, they won't even notice, so it's more of just which look better to you, a more old style or a more modern appereance. In the end I can't recommend one over the other, just choose which suits your taste the most.

[@mhelmreich1]

I am really happy with LMDE, which is basically the same interface, but built on Debian rather than Ubuntu.

[@skorne7682]

I would usually recommend Kubuntu over these two for new users, you get all the best parts of Ubuntu I think. As much as people recommend Mint I've often had cryptic problems installing it, or getting gfx drivers working properly and they aren't supporting Wayland yet as far as I know. Zorin is pretty slick though and may be a good option for those who are impressed by pretty desktops, but I feel Plasma over Gnome is a better option for traditional Windows users (Those who started out in the Win 95 - 7 era).

[@Tux256ND]

Not only for beginners. I'm coming from some years of Fedora to Zorin OS to try and i love the UI.

[@nodak81]

I really like Zorin but the software manager is slow as hell, often hangs at 99% install and often just won't search at all. Not sure what I could be doing wrong. I have several older laptops (varying ages and brands) and they all have this problem, so I don't think it's a hardware-specific issue. I also dislike having to install and configure Samba on Zorin, in order to access my router's NAS drive. Mint has Samba installed but I still have to enable the older protocol for it to work.

[@saltyabcdef3202]

Also find Zorin to be a heavy OS as it comes with a lot of software pre-installed but most of it functions well nonetheless.

[@cimbakahn]

InfinitelyGalactic: Zorin OS Pro is Gnome, and Linux Mint doesn't have a Gnome, so this wasn't a good comparison. I think the best way that you could have done this comparison would be Zorin OS Lite versus Linux Mint Xfce. Therefore it would be Zorin's Xfce versus Linux Mint's Xfce. I have Linux Mint Xfce on this laptop, and I have Zorin Lite on my other laptop. Both operating systems look beautiful (out of the box). Most of the time I just use what they give me under appearance and add my own wallpaper, and boom! Gorgeous! If you don't like it you can always change it! You'd be surprised what you can do with one theme, one icon pack, one wallpaper, and one plank. You can make it look totally different. It is absolutely amazing what you can do. Some people even change their cursor. Others change the appearance of their terminal. Just use your imagination! BTW: The application you were mentioning is called timeshift, and it has saved my a__ atleast one time.

[@thehighwayman78]

Very nice content, thank you. I will try to get Zorin running on my old iMac from 2009

[@jefft8597]

I don't know about LM but with Zorin I don't think there is anyway you can go wrong. I started with Elementary OS ans switched to Zorin 15 a long time ago. I actually bought the Pro (Ultimate) version because I was new and I wanted to see what programs were included. Pro version also offers support if needed. If you are just doing simple things like web browsing, video watching, PDF reading, e-mail, using Libre Office, then this Zorin is perfectly fine. It is super simple to install side by side with Windows or some other OS without overwriting everything on your disk, and when it starts it is in Windows 7 layout mode making everything as simple as it can be.

[@k.b.tidwell]

Are the only things you miss from the Core version vs Pro the additional software and the tech support? Are all of the backend enhancements and efficiency settings the same between the two?

[@ShadowPriestBear]

I use Zorin for technical support in my job and really runs perfectly! Love it

[@avidwriter2882]

Candy coating is nice but rounded edges disappear once you are deep in and barely see your desktop or explorer anymore. I normally turn all that stuff off just to keep things moving as fast as possible.

[@andyspark5192]

I would put MX Linux into the mix. And just for fun. Get 5-10 non-Linux users and let them test Mint, Zorin and MX. Then they should give the rating and opinion after: setting up the personal desktop environment, use some multimedia apps, check some of the personal daily important apps, do some file management (search, organize, transfer, ...)

[@AndreaBorman]

I didn't know that Zorin OS used Gnome Extensions to get their start menu and other Windows like features. I thought it was a customised version of Gnome the same as the old versions of Linux Mint Gnome used to be. Mint is better as when I used Zorin some years ago it did have some bugs. And if you want to use Gnome you can do that by installing the Ubuntu desktop on Linux Mint as I have done, Then installing Dash to Panel and Arc Menu in Gnome Extensions. Which gives you the Mint or Windows style taskbar and start menu.There is also a Zorin menu extension for Gnome but it does not work on the current versions of Ubuntu or Mint. So the Arc Menu is better and it works best with Dash To Panel Extension. Which moves the taskbar to either the top or bottom of the screen. Depending on your choice.

[@ruthcherry3177]

This video is probably the main reason I'm running Zorin 17.1-r2 on this machine and not Mint Cinnamon 22. I've stayed with Mint 21.3 on another, older machine because I'm a bit worried that it's to basic to run the new version. I was pleased that the new kernel 6.8 installed fine on Mint, but there have been many issues with the Zorin upgrade as it now uses Wayland as default. I agree with you that Zorin is the easier transition for new users, ad must point out that Timeshift can be downloaded from the Software Store. However, Zorin does come ready with Déjà Dup, which creates back ups and snapshots saved to GDrive - something a lot of ex-Windows users might really feel comfortable with. I would really love you to do an updated version of this video, especially as WX support ceases in just over a year! More people will be looking for a viable alternative. Thank you.

[@dragonballjiujitsu]

I've been a huge Linux Mint fan for years but I have to say I'm loving Zorin OS. I'd have to give it the edge at this point. I think it offers a better out of the box experience and the app installation is a bit better experience. Huge win for Zorin on the UI side. The only thing Mint could do to beat Zorin at this point is offer a KDE version again. 99% of people do NOT need support for the latest hardware and do NOT need the latest version of Gnome. I honestly do not know a single person ever who has installed Zorin OS or Mint on a thread ripper running a 4090. Most people will be installing either of the distros on 5+ year old hardware. At this point you cannot go wrong with either distro.

[@viveksreedharan88]

Am just trying to understand. You can install KDE desktop environment in mint right? What difference it's gonna make if Mint offers a KDE desktop along with cinnamon, mate & xfce? Cinnamon is very decent enough. This is just my view.

[@ninjameep8616]

I have a Ryzen 7 and a 3070ti and i Actually had some problems on alot of distros because they specifically didnt support 'new' hardware (despite it being years old still) wasn't very fun to try and install so many distros then finding out it's literally a hardware issue(kinda)

[@dragonballjiujitsu]

@@ninjameep8616 Genuine question: What exactly are you gonna do on that system? I mean, gaming on Linux sucks and video editing is a joke unless you have one of the few distros you can trick into running resolve. Seems to me that anything over a mid-range core i7 and 16GB of RAM is just a waste.

[@dragonballjiujitsu]

@@viveksreedharan88 You can, but it really doesn't turn out right. There are many small glitches and problems. It would be nice to have a smooth KDE experience out of the box with Mint. In my mind it would be about the perfect distro at that point.

[@tucsonsduke]

I tend to encourage pop os for new individuals for the first impressions. It was the first os that I felt confident I could walk my parents through installing over the phone.

[@haxorcomputerservices]

Great video and explanations. Iv been on and off on linux sinse Ubuntu 7.04, then tried Mint in all variations but i am really liking Zorin 17 right now. I have found though that Wayland is not that stable so changed back to X11 but very impressed with Zorin. It looks the best too in my opinion and i can do everthing i need while getting very good performance. Its a 9 put of 10 from me.

[@NorbieGontheMic]

Thanks for that... Good job! For the past couple of years, I have been trying to find a suitable Linux distro for my old low-end laptop, and myself - as a Windows user for years. I've tried several distros but some weren't suitable for me or my laptop. However, I shortlisted Zorin 16.3 lite, and mint cinnamon 21.2/3 which I couldn't make up my mind about which to use. So I kept on searching until I came across your video... and made my mind up to use Zorin.

[@bobbyfried7478]

I don't normally watch Linux comparison vids...BUT i broke my own rule and watched yours. hope your having a wonderful holidays. keep up the good content. i may try zorin for a few months..see how i like it. looks interesting. i run LMDE 6 and i love it...using it since 2 on one device or another.

[@r3lativ]

Would be interesting to see a Zorin vs PopOS comparison.

[@harmzuay]

After hearing what Microsoft has planned for Windows, I finally bit the bullet and tried Linux for real. I removed my Windows drive and installed Linux Mint and I've been very pleased with it so far. There's a few things I've had to make work, but I'm shocked at how good it is.

[@borutp]

Great video, thank you. I am installing Zorin

[@geoffreyrenemoiens3089]

Good job on the comparison 👋

[@Tucanazo69]

Zorin is beautiful but there's just something great about that old fashioned look of Mint that I Iike more

[@PerfMonk]

I'm on zorin 17 pro since end of December and I have to say that it is the best distro I have tried since I begin to use linux in 1998. It fast, stable and even if I'm more of a KDE user the gnome interface can be tuned with the same look or better than what I liked on KDE. I will keep Zorin on my laptop and it will stay there for a long time. Everything works and it's very stable, fast and good looking. No this distro is not only for linux beginner. Cudo to Zorin team for that nice distro. :=)

[@NoahHeadglitch]

I feel like mint is more like the windows 7 we know and love where zorin is more like windows 10 with a more updated UI look and feel. Obviously they both are independent of windows but that's just what comes to mind if you're trying to do a comparison or transition.

[@whosestone]

Used Mint for years, great simple to use distro. Just moved to Zorin and love it much the same and will be keeping it due to the native GPU drivers.

[@warrenvanwyck2765]

Unless I'm missing it, neither distro remembers the size and position of the last window opened for an application. I have three monitors and use at least six applications that I want in certain positions. Windows and MacOS have done this for years. Linux desktop remains fiddleware for me.

[@raderator]

The Zorin brothers made Linux look slick and modern like a commercial OS. Functionality is simple and straightforward, unlike bloated Windows. I stayed with Chrome so switching was easy. It's really like a more elegant version of Windows or a better Chrome OS that doesn't expire.

[@theadoresmith2777]

I've been using Ubuntu since 2014 ... I like zorin 17 because really, its the Ubuntu that Canonical should have done. I'm using it as a daily driver and does all that Ubuntu 23.10 does. At 6gb, I thought Ubuntu must be joking so I shall keep using Zorin 17.

[@Manthan7_7]

As new user myself,i would go with zorinOS 100%

[@anonymous_opinions1924]

I'd recommend giving Mint a try

[@deepchange2973]

I love the simplicity and availability availability of Linux mint

[@TheBadFred]

Had issues with Zorin, like crashes. Would suggest either Linux Mint or Pop Os.

[@Maisonier]

What about performance and power consumption? Is there any difference?

[@penguin2137]

Mint to try first and get acquainted with Linux, MX as the second distro when you already get used to Linux and realise you didn't like Mint

[@ArchLars]

Zorin in my opinion is best for Windows users who do not want to get further into Linux and want stuff to just work. They want things to look nice and aren't interested in the legwork to get it to look nice themselves. They are looking to change their laptop or their computer they do not use much (maybe they mainly use their phones), what they do is basic stuff like YT watching, word processing, googling, email, banking, whatever. Point is they are not power users and they are not looking to become one. Zorin in my opinion is ideal for that user. My only addition or help I would provide after putting Zorin on their computer would be to install Chrome for them. I know, verboten to say this in the Linux community, but most normal users want Chrome, and do not care about the Manifest drama with the extensions. Firefox and some of it's quirks might confuse them, and if it does they will blame Linux. We don't want that, and also I do not blame them for this. To the people who say Chrome runs worse on Linux than Firefox so it would be a detriment that way, I disagree personally. Maybe this was true years ago, but it's not anymore. For the user who wants to get into Linux my recommendation is different, and while my take on Mint always anger people, I don't really see the point of it these days. Either Ubuntu or Pop_OS is my recommendation for the user who is interested in LINUX, not just to change from Windows. Ubuntu because it does everything Mint does now with the codecs and is upstream, Pop_OS because it's easier to get the NVIDIA stuff for the user that needs that. Now here people will say why not Mint for them, it's more similar to Windows. Full disclosure: I started with Linux Mint myself, but my personal opinion is now that if people want to get into Linux then they should try something different than Windows. The GNOME userland is perfect to start with, you will encounter it in a lot of distrohopping, and Ubuntu is actually a pretty good choice here because it's GNOME but slightly modified. It's easy to install, has a huge community, and is just as fine as Mint is. The snap drama is mostly overblown these days, and the app store on Ubuntu is not bad. But I also recognize that it's more helpful to meet new Linux fans where they are at and most of them want the Windows like experience at first. But even here before reccing Mint I would say Kubuntu. That could literally be one hop and stop for a ton of users, I see so many daily driving Kubuntu and having no interest in hopping. This is the ideal outcome, as the vast majority on Mint usually will hop before long. Maybe that is inevitable for a new user due to FOMO over feeling like other distros may be better, but if we can reduce that hopping I think that is ideal IMO. But maybe they are not interested in Kubuntu for whatever reason (KDE don't gel well with their hardware perhaps), and are not interested in the Ubuntu Cinnamon spin either which to be frank they shouldn't be because Linux Mint is basically the better "Cinnamon spin" for Ubuntu. That's when I say they should try Linux Mint. Of course all are great options for either person here, neither is a rule, but this is what I personally think as a newish user. I am on arch btw.

[@leonidd00]

Here is the question "which is better for new users?" and I would say definitely Zorin OS. For myself I am using Linux Mint on server machine and Pop!_OS on my everyday PC. But I tested Zorin OS and I loved it, I think this is a very good distro not only for people who are coming from windows or mac, but also for normal linux users who would actually like to do work using the os, instead of spending time on configuring/fixing the os itself. Zoring is good just "out of the box". And with wayland support, which mint only has as "experimental", it offers a smooth experience and good working fractional scaling individually for each display.

[@Blueeeeeee]

Very good and balanced review, although it should be taken into account how this reccomendation will change when Mint 22 releases next year, while Zorin will be stauck on 22.04.

[@bradvanvleet8630]

My daily driver is Zorin but have recently given KDE neon a try and it is very beginner friendly as well

[@khoanguyen0001]

Zorin 16.0 is based on Ubuntu 20.04. However, Zorin 16.2 is based on Ubuntu 22.04. I think Zorin 17 will get the same treatment.

[@Crow12619]

Isn't that super outdated now?

[@metafile001]

16.2 still 20.04 base, but does utilise 22.04 kernel (or bits of!). 17 is 22.04 base totally. But the gnome is older than Ubuntu 22.04, but is heavily adapted functionally.... Be safe.

[@SkyFly19853]

As long as Zorin lets me install games from GOG offline... Then so be it.

[@karthiks5652]

I used Linux mint for years. I never thought of changing it. But after I updated to Linux mint 22, my booting process took so much time. I only get mint logo after 3-4 mins. So, I changed Linux mint and now I am using zorin os. But I really miss the pre-installed tools in Linux mint.

[@owenwilsonjunior]

what about LMDE? that is moving away from Ubuntu altogether and going back to Debian

[@WillWise808]

Hi, Is Zorin OS 17 lighter on resources than Mint? Thank you for your time.

[@homloklebenyterapia9790]

Why new users? Why not only just users? I think most of people just need a working operating system and dont want to switch os day by day.

[@crevail]

I'm sure the video operates under the assumption that both these operating systems can still be used long term by proficient users without missing out on anything (which they can). It's not like training wheels on a bike where you'll eventually have to take them off; it's just an easier to ride bike overall if you've never ridden one before.

[@mtscott44]

Great review, thanks mate.

[@jrjefferson01]

I like the fundamental stability of Linux mint. But work is still required to get it up and going if you were previously a windows user. Zorin on the other hand is ready to use as is and might be a better experience for a windows user from the start . I personally use Mint but have a Zorin install as a VM.

[@floweringmind]

I find more weird edge, cases in Mint Linux that cause problems overtime. Zorin Just works really really well

[@markkleiman6531]

Appreciate the comparison. My enthusiasm for Linux, is that it could bring new life into an old Windows 7 laptop. In that case is the Zorin OS still better for it as well as being a new Linux user? I already have a Windows 10 laptop, so would install Linux completely and solely on the older machine.

[@OldieBugger]

I have used Linux Mint from late 2016 and I have tried a lot of different distros on my spare laptop. I still haven't found any that would beat Mint. Zorin... well that's one I haven't tried yet. Maybe I will, one day, out of curiosity. EDIT: The only distro I've planned to switch to is LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition). But, lets watch the video till the end.

[@t.v.9696]

Hi! Linux Mint Debian Edition looks and feels almost identical to Ubuntu based releases. I had used LMDE for quite some time, but after noticing that some of my USB Wi-Fi adapters "stopped working", I switched back. Debian stability comes with a price. Hardware compatibility is my top priority. P. S. I really miss KDE versions of Linux Mint. Those looked way better and worked faster than infamous Aero. However I'm glad the LM dev team focused on Cinnamon 👍.

[@k.b.tidwell]

I started with Mint back in 2014, and I've hopped over forty distros, and now I'm back on Mint. I ran Zorin 16 a short while a couple years ago, and I'm going to give this one a go again. I did run LMDE5 and 6 for a little bit, but moving to a twin version of Mint that's less put-together hasn't made sense to me yet. I'll try it again when LMDE comes out of the box as completely setup with minimal tweaking like Mint already is. The faint chance that Ubuntu will go under isn't enough of a reason to switch and put up with even more distractions from my work than I have now, lol, and the morality of whatever Canonical is doing right now this week isn't even worth wasting time thinking about. If Canonical's doings is the high moral hill on which people chose to die, then those people need to reevaluate their priorities.

[@OldieBugger]

@@t.v.9696 I wouldn't notice that. I distrust all wireless crap so I have all the cables ready. I just want to have my network connection to be snappy, not like wifi that can have soggy delays and stuff. I have tried to use that and I didn't like what I saw.

[@jakobw135]

How does LMDE stack up against the version of Linux Mint you are using? And also, have you tried Garuda Linux as a possibility for a new user?

[@viveksreedharan88]

Guys, Zorin looks appealing! No doubt! But mint is a rock solid! You won't know it's robustness & features unless you try it. Mint doesn't look soo cool as zorin but it has everything you need. Someone who is used to windows, mint is the goto OS. One feature i found zorin is missing - automatic change of wallpapers. Not sure if it's a pro feature of Zorin. But I couldn't find it in Zorin 16. No doubt both the communities r doing a good job. So far, i could neither find a reason to replace mint nor i found other distro comfortable enough to replace mint. For someone who is used to mint, it's not easy to come out.

[@blackrock1961]

I used Mint for years. I switched to Zorin a year ago and have had no desire to switch back. I've always hated automatically changing wallpaper. So, it's not a feature that I noticed was missing.

[@viveksreedharan88]

@@blackrock1961 If you don't like that feature, you can always turn it off. There's a difference between not using an available option & the option not available to use. Preferences vary. I don't mean here that zorin is bad. It's just the fact it is not a distro i prefer to use it primarily. It's good that u r comfortable with zorin.

[@alap1983]

If Windows OS users want to jump onto Linux, they simply cannot go wrong with Zorin OS 17. It has a VERY familiar layout. Windows OS users will feel right at home (mostly). The UI and UX have been intentionally kept VERY similar or nearly identical to Windows 10. Mint OS seems to be geared towards Linux Users who want a reliable Desktop or Laptop and are fairly familiar with Linux as an Operating System. Zorin OS 17 has come a LONG WAY in terms of multiple Optimizations, Tweaks, and Smoothness. It is highly polished but not restrictive. It is somewhat curated but does not limit users. Windows OS users looking to shift can EASILY and QUICKLY get onboard the Linu train with Zoring OS 17.

[@AndyTravis416]

He's right about new users liking Zorin which what I am. I have no interest in games or any office stuff. All I care for is a browser to surf the internet, that is it. I just need the basic and this OS seem to do just that

[@elduderino7767]

Zorin OS 100% Lots of familiarity for windows users and has enough polish for mac refugees

[@rmccain99]

How does it work with AMD 64bit processors?

[@oscard7256]

Which of both to not throw away a notebook with touch screen instead of using Chrome Os Flex?

[@jani3253]

Thank You from other side of earth.

[@kotgc7987]

LM is smooth as silk and has great community support, however only uses x86. ARM and RISC-V are powerful enough to run a desktop (probably not gaming) on an SBC (single board computer) for convenience and affordability.

[@bojanalex5927]

Great review

[@cndjonno]

TL;DR: Zorin OS is the way to go for a non linux user hands down. I started with Linux mint on some old hardware. The bios was 32 bit but the hardware was 64 bit. I could install Linux mint but could not boot. Turns out LM is only compatible with 64bit UEFIs. So now I need to modify GRUB using the boot CD. Well not if LM doesn't recognize your wifi card. Just update the wifi drivers manually? Drivers will not persist on a boot CD. I spent way to long trying to build my my own distro or modify GRUB. I did finally get it all working by buying a USB wifi that had compatibility with Linux Mint which allowed me to make changes to GRUB. After getting it all working which took weeks, I ran across a KZbin video on Zorin vs Linux Mint. I decided to try Zorin on another machine (exact same hardware) and it booted up on the first try and WiFi worked out of the box. Not to mention the UI looked polished when Linux Mint felt dated/under construction. Linux Mint is great, for Linux users. Zorin OS is great for non-Linux users.

[@mihairomulus2488]

nah LM is bloody perfect as well for non Linux users too, it's what it was made to do, actual Linux users use Arch or Arco

[@operius2385]

I love your reviews. But, please review how GTK *and* QT look and feel out of the box when reviewing a distro. Because nobody that seriously uses a Linux distro is using only GTK or only QT apps.

[@bengtl.5017]

Used zorin this fall, until it completely stopped update or install new software. Never happened me on any system before. Something with zorin turns me off as if they care more the surface then to have a sound system. And I hate that cold looking boring mountain picture.

[@penguin2137]

as for Mint, you get Qt settings so you can use whatever GTK theme you have installed on your system to theme Qt apps. as for Zorin - no clue

[@operius2385]

@@penguin2137 It's Linux. You can make it whatever you want. These reviews are about the out of the box experience. A lot of times QT apps look like crap on a GTK based desktop. Not allways, but often. And I just don't understand how a distro can ignore how GTK or QT apps looks ootb. They are *the most* used toolkits on Linux distros for over 2 decades. But just to put it out there. Zorin did a great job. Both toolkits look great. Even when using flatpaks they look good. QT apps both native and flatpak use the gtk filepicker too. Offcourse QT apps will never look 100% like GTK apps on a GTK based desktop, and vica versa. But they made it look as good as it can get. Props to Zorin!

[@penguin2137]

@@operius2385 out of the box Qt apps in Mint should use the Mint default theme

[@dustincarr3215]

I couldn't get my audio to work in Zorin. "Dummy output". No problems with Ubuntu latest LTS though.

[@NFvidoJagg2]

Guess ii have to go try zorin on my old netbook.

[@tonybronze7459]

Gnome is probably not the lightest desktop for an old netbook. I have an Acer with built in 32gb SSD and 4gb of ram. I use the XFCE version of MX Linux on it which works.

[@Nate-fy5cq]

I like to judge a book by its cover,Zorin os it is

[@GapRecordingsNamibia]

Does Davinci Reslove run on Zorin and what is the Nvidia experience like?

[@theophilus7422]

Excellent video. I had narrowed my initial linux options to Mint, Zorin and another (its name I can't remember) before seeing your video. At least I am on the right track in my research. I've had it with Microsoft and want to escape Windows world. I will be trying out linux and hopefully I will be able to find the same functionality on linux for my day-to-day needs.

[@jpmyers6950]

Be aware that the price for the premium version has gone up, from $39 to $49. Also if you're running Zorin OS 16 premium, you can't upgrade to 17 yet, it will be weeks before you can do that.

[@MrJohnSteeves]

I noticed that they used to charge sales tax on top of the $39 whereas now it's included in the new price, so it's not much of an increase

[@richardbaker4974]

Linux mint is better!! Zorin is heavier than mint running cinnamon desktop. I love how mint xfce has more customizable options than zorin. I’ve used both and I prefer mint it’s much nicer.

[@DistroUser]

When comparing these two Distros and considering newer hardware compatibility, your best choice might be Mint Cinnamon EDGE. I just bought a new Mini PC with newer hardware such as Intel N100 and the WiFi would only work when I updated to the newest kernel. I wonder how Zorin would do in this scenario?

[@Lapidario_]

Zorin is by far the best distro that matches my laptop's hardware.

[@home-of-the-brave]

Hey thx for the great Review, I also tryed mint ant Zoron. For Me is Zorin the best Distro, because it‘s most polished and modern looking 😊 Where did you get the wallpaper from your Mint OS ? It looks very clean and calm 😊 can you share it?

[@r1ftzy]

Zorin is literally Ubuntu with a gnome extension called dash to panel.

[@je_suis_amor]

i started using linux ( mint ) in my relatively new ryzen 5 powered laptop in the start of this year ...and tried Ubuntu, pop os Debian etc. and came back to mint ..but lack of Wayland support and some other bugs forced to switch and finally settled down in Debian 12 and I'm very happy and i have very few problems.i mostly use Flatpak and i side load some .deb and app images also..till now i didn't have major hiccups and i learned how to tackle basic problems..if u ask me mint is great for beginners but if u want to do something more than basic computing activities it gives me some headaches and some time lot of software packages are not compatible or gives problems. And before 2 months I deleted my Windows 11 and i stopped dual booting and I'm daily driving Debian 12 now. And also I'm doing some programming/designing and switching to Linux gave me a lot of happiness. I'm switching back to mint since they announced Wayland support in the future..I will try when roll it on updates

[@anonymous_opinions1924]

Nice choice imo. Debian is based.

[@k.b.tidwell]

Really, the idea here is what's best for the average new user. You're in the above-average tech category with Linux. I'm high enough on the tech tree to understand everything you're talking about, and experienced enough to understand it's not my cup of tea. I'm divergent enough into "other purposes" to be gravitating to more of a less-tweaking-and-modifying-to-get-the-system-the-way-I-want-it-is-better mode. You talk about Wayland to newbies and they'll be expecting Willie and the boys to ride with them to Luckenbach, Texas.

[@TedSchoenling]

I'm trying both... I'm leaning to Zorin I like Mint but Zorin looks nicer (stupid reason) I also like RefreshOS a bit

[@TedSchoenling]

that said I don't like that applets and desklets are missing. Yes you can use conky but that is a PITA to configure compared to just adding desklets

[@vincentlivoti4184]

I have been using Linux Mint for over 10 years on my homework station. I've installed it on my friends and family who are non linux users. They never really had any issues. Mint is rock solid and is very stable. I have tried Zorin in the past. It was okay. I think mint has a better community base and better support.