Zorin OS 16 - The BEST DISTRO to move to LINUX?

Zorin OS 16 was just released a few days ago. This distro gets a ton of praise from beginners and windows switchers, and this new release, in my opinion, cements its place as the go-to recommendation for new Linux users. Let's see what's new and if Zorin can earn a nice "Linux beginner" seal of approval.

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As always, Zorin OS come with 4 variants: a Core and Core Lite edition, respectively using GNOME and XFCE, and free of charge, and a PRO and PRO Lite edition, which are paid for.

This review is specifically of the Pro version of Zorin OS.

## Basics
So let's start with the basics.

Zorin OS uses GNOME for its main editions, and XFCE for the Lite editions. It's now based on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, which is an older base, but shouldn't be an issue, as Zorin OS now includes flathub out of the box.

It seems to be using GNOME 3.38, but a few apps are stuck in their 3.36 version, for example the File manager and the software center. Zorin touts performance improvements, probably linked to the move to a newer version of GNOME than what was available in Zorin OS 15, and a newer kernel as well, version 5.11 out of the box.

## Desktop

On the desktop, you're greeted with a familiar, windows 10 like layout. Of course, you can change it in one click with the Zorin appearance app.
Zorin ships layouts imitating Windows 10, Windows 7, with a shorter taskbar with application names on it, or older versions of windows, with a simpler menu, which is just a list of categories.

You'll also find a brand new Windows 11 layout, with centered menu, overview, and app shortcuts, on a taskbar that occupies the whole bottom of the screen. The menu is also changed in this layout, with just a list of apps, although it lacks the "favorites" section that windows 11 boasts.

You also find layouts that imitate macOS, with a dock at the bottom and a simple list menu on the top, a default GNOME layout without a dock and the classic GNOME 3 top bar, a Unity-like layout that imitates how Ubuntu is setup, or a hybrid layout with a centered list of app shortcuts in the task bar, a menu in the bottom left corner, and no top bar at all.

The Windows 11 layout is specific to the Pro version, as are the Ubuntu, macOS, and older windows layout.

## Look and feel

The theme itself has been revamped, and looks even more minimalistic. It's a look I really like, with flat white or dark colors, and the smallest bit of gradient over the accent color. Icons are nice and flat, and they even managed to round all the window and menu corners.

Zorin OS 16 also comes with the ability to turn on "jelly mode", which is just a fancy name for these good old wobbly windows.

## Default apps
Now, in terms of applications, Zorin OS PRO adds a LOT of apps out of the box. You can opt for a "minimal" install option if you're not interested in these, but if you want an install full of various programs, get prepared.
Zorin OS Pro goes wayyyy overboard.

Other notable additions that are preinstalled on Zorin OS Pro are the Barrier app, which we'll talk in a bit, and the network display app, that will let you cast your display onto any wifi display or miracast compatible devices.

Now in terms of the apps you can get, Zorin OS 16 ships with Flathub out of the box, plus Snap, and all the apps in the Ubuntu repos. They also added their own PPAs for more up to date drivers, applications, and for their own tools like Zorin Connect or Zorin appearance.

## Gestures

Zorin OS 16 also ships with gestures support, and they're 1:1 gestures, even on X.org, which is still the default on this distro. They're basically the GNOME gestures, with a 3 finger pinch to get to the activities, and 4 finger swipes up and down to move virtual desktops.

## Barrier app

Zorin OS Pro also comes preinstalled with the barrier app, which you can get from flathub on any other distro. This thing lets you share your mouse and keyboard with any other computer that has Barrier installed.

[TheLinuxEXP]

Made a mistake when I presented the versions, I listed the « Pro versions » as « free », which, of course, they’re not :)

Finally a distro that takes the task of being a REAL alternative to Windows and MacOs seriously. I hope it sets a trend on the community.

[affechristoph]

ZorinOS is the distro I started with and I still use it.
I love how it introduced me into the Linux world

[NotMarkKnopfler]

As a loyal Mint user, I have to say: This looks fantastic.

[davidwayne]

I've had Zorin 16 for about a week now-- and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT... MUCH smoother, lighter, but powerful and can do anything I love- and it's just the BEST--- I've tried several others for a year or more at a time and I have grown fond of this one in a WEEK!!!!

[julianmartinez]

I've tried some distros lately and I'm sticking with this one. Everything works fine, easy to work with and beautiful.
And I'm using the lite version in my 14 years old, 32 bit, 2gb RAM, laptop and it's working great. Not many OSs work with old 32 bit computers nowadays.

[JuanSanchez-pebu]

Honestly I love this trend of easy to use distros, really helps grow the community

[pjmq]

You're probably the most active YouTuber i've seen in a long while. Keep up the pace if you can, this is great!

[krishnachaitanya]

I just installed it today this morning on my laptop. It's so beautiful and super fast!

[taxaction]

The Zorin OS 16 theming is beautiful and so far it is running smoothly. They have made Gnome look fresh and modern. Minimal install would be nice I agree. Even the icon set is quality. I'm impressed and Crown them Kings and Queens of GNOME!

[Hobbitstomper]

Great video.
My two cents: Beginners (and some advanced users) almost always mistake the look and feel of the desktop environment (Gnome, KDE etc.) with what a distro really is. They assume the default color theme, the icon pack, the taskbar location, and layout is what makes a distro a distro, when in fact all that can be customized across (almost) all distros. The real difference is the developer and community behind the distro. A distro that regularly receives security updates is much more important than what the default color theme is of a distro. You can always customize the look and feel of the desktop, but unless you're a developer specializing in linux security, you won't be able to get the latest security updates. The second-highest priority for beginners should be a distro with a good and active packet manager, that has a massive repository of apps, tools, and libraries. Otherwise installing any software on a distro can be a pain when none of the 3rd party dependencies can automatically be downloaded. For that reason, stop choosing distros based on colors and desktop layouts, because those you can change, choose a distro that has an active developer community.

[Mr.Riojas]

I've been using Zorin pro for almost a year now. Quite enjoying it.

[chadmccullough]

Another great review, Nick! I'm a Linux user of 29 years and I just purchased the Pro license for Zorin. I've been testing the beta for the past few months and just fell in love with the distribution and the project. Not only did they build a distribution that will be attractive to new Linux users, but I think it's great for seasoned users, as well. I now have it running on my desktop and laptop.

[nikluz]

I bought Zoris OS Ultimate a while back, I’m looking forward to testing out the latest edition.

[Antonio-flnr]

Linux now feels more innovative than Windows, even when it copies its UI.
This distro. It is so rich in features while using mostly open source components.
What else can you ask for?

[tankwfw]

I just love the minimalistic, yet chic interface. Its clean and functional but still stylish and of course, seamlessly allows people to transition from Windows

[ccroy]

I do need to point out a major flaw in this video: Aisleriot Solitaire is the core reason to run Linux.

[leous]

Man your voice is so soft and sweet and so calming. I'm so stressed because of my job and I just wanted to check your video and whoah got out relaxed with new knowledge, thanks.

[TTV]

So clean and beautiful. Wouldn't believe it was possible for an OS to be this simple and consistent in its design, if you come from the Windows-world.

[ariathyf]

The fast switch to fully working theme is the highlight of this distro, it's something daunting to do on KDE.
The fact that Zoring ships with programs to cover different productive tasks is a plus in my case.

Something forgot in the review is the sound notifications.

Being operational without relying on internet connection is important in some situations.
Love that "Barrier" program, i wonder if it is compatible with windows.