Zorin OS 18 reached 4 million downloads today
Posted by ActuallyIndianAI@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 104 comments
Posted by ActuallyIndianAI@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 104 comments
teressapanic@reddit
Why is Zorin suddenly exploding? It’s never been popular as a mainstream distro. Marketing?
kengador@reddit
its the best distro to enter linux world imo
mainseeker1486@reddit
This and AI suggesting it.
YeahThatKornel@reddit
Even this post is AI. Lol
mainseeker1486@reddit
Thea, I don’t really mind if used but at least when I do I put effort in it. I stopped doing copy paste a long time ago
kengador@reddit
you neckbears can downvote all you want. zorin is best entry into linux and numbers prove it.
k3rrshaw@reddit
Of course it is marketing. And this Reddit post is a part of that.
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Alfalfa-Punk@reddit
I can tell you their secret: They advertise on sites like Facebook. The number of times I've seen it, where they are advertised as the Windows 11 Replacement OS, I'm not surprised by it.
I think I'm in the same group when it comes to this Distro though. GNOME is just a NOPE! from me. And them charging for GNOME Layouts? No thank you mac.
blankman2g@reddit
I wonder how many are installing and keeping it.
Dr_Hexagon@reddit
I also question this because Zorin doesn't show up in the Steam hardware survey at all. Their Freemium model also seems kind of slimy, you're paying $50 for a bunch of themes and pre installed software other people made and you are buying that version only, if you bought 16 you don't get free upgrades for a year or anything.
Linux Mint is a better choice for beginners switching from windows.
jahinzee@reddit
are they blending in with Ubuntu users or something?
Dr_Hexagon@reddit
Zorin is just Ubuntu with a gnome config which looks like windows so yes.
DustyAsh69@reddit
There are also people like me who just tried the ISO in a VM.
420smoke0@reddit
You have a valid point. Give you that
420smoke0@reddit
Now that's a good question 🤔
Successful_Drummer14@reddit
Not bad, i’ve tried zorin and quickly migrated to arch, but good for them!
420smoke0@reddit
Yeah I'm on arch but with the cachyos. It's pretty good aswell. What did you not like about zorin os?
Successful_Drummer14@reddit
The visual features that i especially wanted was behind the paywall. I am not big fan of gnome but wanted to try it out. KDE plasma/cinnamon > gnome.
blackbasset@reddit
... Features behind a paywall? What the fuck?
Successful_Drummer14@reddit
Yes, they charging for extra themes, some “professional” apps (blender, gimp) and tech support. Pretty funny. Imho good linux = free linux.
RampantAndroid@reddit
I mean if Zorin is the route to get people on Linux where say even Mint wouldn't work...I'll take it.
quicksand8917@reddit
Charging for gimp seems illigal to me but IANAL.
markhadman@reddit
IAANAL, but there's nothing illegal about selling GIMP or any similar open source software. You just have to provide the source code
blankman2g@reddit
It’s not illegal but it is unethical to market it as thousands of dollars of professional software when it is all free software. Unknowing noobs coming from Windows probably think they’re getting a deal when it would all have been free in the App Store anyway.
blankman2g@reddit
And the “tech support” is only installation support.
cool_slowbro@reddit
gnome but with arc menu and dash to panel is the way for me :D
420smoke0@reddit
Damn that's crazy! what was behind paywall? . I would recommend cachyos to try as they have couple of layout such as hyprland, gnome, couple of others worth a try if you like to customize you layout. 😉
Aegthir@reddit
Extra layout like Mac, Win11 lookalike, plus technical support from their team if you need it.
420smoke0@reddit
Bruh that's crazy. Like I kinda get some paid stuff like applications if it's custom made but paid technical support for the os 😒 that's bamboozled me. Glad I haven't tried that. Even tho i'm new at Linux but trying at least
Aegthir@reddit
They still have the usual forum for support, but the Pro version will have straight channel to their contact.
blankman2g@reddit
Support for installation only. No support after that.
420smoke0@reddit
Hmm interesting. At least they are accommodating to both i suppose
Jarngreipr9@reddit
I think the tech support is probably worth more than a couple of reskins
blankman2g@reddit
It’s not. It’s only installation support. After that, you are just using community support.
420smoke0@reddit
Yes i agree. 100%
blankman2g@reddit
The technical support is only for installation. You really are paying for stuff that is otherwise free. They should just be asking for donations. I’m not against anyone in the FOSS world making money but then offer real tech support for as long as the version is supported.
TopdeckIsSkill@reddit
What a pity, honestly 50€ for some skin is too much for me, even more considering that I still want to try linux and check if it's fine for my use
ActuallyIndianAI@reddit (OP)
I mean it's optional. And you can tweak it yourself to look like it, it's just for comfort for people who want it to look exactly like that and instantly.
More of a way to support the devs.
TopdeckIsSkill@reddit
I would be preferred a cheaper option for layoult only, or at least some trial like I did with unriad. Tested it one month then bought the lifetime
Aegthir@reddit
The skins are all there from the base GTK theme. Installing or Editing some extensions and you would get the same premium layouts.
Worth-Wonder-7386@reddit
They even show you how to set up your own themes: https://help.zorin.com/docs/system-software/third-party-themes/
It should be primarily viewed as a way to support the devs.
DoubleOwl7777@reddit
and 5000$ of "professional grade" software (all foss btw.)
Aegthir@reddit
It's just Gnome at the end, there are guides all over youtube to setup layout for Gnome.
For example: https://github.com/vinceliuice/WhiteSur-gtk-theme
420smoke0@reddit
Yeah I've seen that one before when I was looking around for hyprland stuff.
Cygnus__A@reddit
What made you change? I've been on Endeavor but it has destroyed my system 3 times after basic updates requiring me to reinstall.
Bubbly_Extreme4986@reddit
What the heck did you do?
p001b0y@reddit
I am not the one you replied to but that’s why I moved away from Endeavor. Knocking on wood but cachyos has been pretty reliable when updating my system and packages so far. Prior to Endeavor I was trying Manjaro and that had similar issues.
Things could be different now. My experience with Endeavor and Manjaro was years ago while running within a VirtualBox vm.
I’m running cachyos because bazzite’s installer kept rolling its installation back. Ha ha!
NotQuiteLoona@reddit
Did you not stopped update manually or prevented it?
Almost all people used Arch I knew used it for years without any update problems. The same goes for me. It's really strange.
Owly_chouette@reddit
can't you just go back to the old kernel ? when an update kill my system i'm just taking the old kernel before the update most of the time it work fine.
volthunter@reddit
I was sure this was an arch BTW joke
esmifra@reddit
I'm happy with OpenSuse, but ZorinOS is a close second. I really like how they polish the graphical interface user experience. It's just a shame they don't update Mesa or patch Kernel versions. If they did, I think I would probably switch.
Few-Possibility-1477@reddit
What does that mean? Im thinking about installing ZorinOS
esmifra@reddit
Generaly speaking it means very recent GPU drivers.
If you have an AMD rdna2 or 3, or alternatively if you are going to use proprietary drivers from NVIDIA, it's not that important, the performance difference should be negligible unless there's some very specific games that have bugs fixed.
If you have a rdna4 GPU, it means more performance and/or features. It has a bigger impact.
DoubleOwl7777@reddit
while more linux is good. zorin is just shady af.
HeyKid_HelpComputer@reddit
What, you don't like paying 48 dollars for a collection of other peoples extensions bundled and enabled on Gnome?
DoubleOwl7777@reddit
dont forget the "alternatives to over $5,000 of professional software"...yeah no. if i want to contribute ill give those projects a donation...
VirusZNM@reddit
PUBG is the only reason I am still using Windows.
HeyKid_HelpComputer@reddit
Unfortunate reason. And they choose not to work on Linux, not the other way around too.
TopdeckIsSkill@reddit
What's the difference between Zorin and Catchy? I would like to switch to linux on my notebook and I was looking for something like that
ActuallyIndianAI@reddit (OP)
Huge differences. I'd even suggest asking AI but very shortly: Zorin is based on Ubuntu and is more stable, more user friendly, less likely to have problems. CachyOS is based on Arch and has better performance and is likely better for gaming. Also, Arch nerds will respect you on forums and you can say "btw, I run Arch".
Both are great. For normal web browsing it's hard to beat Mint or Zorin, though. CachyOS is a performance beast and a true tech nerd's dream.
HeyKid_HelpComputer@reddit
"Looks more like Windows."
Zorin is based on Gnome with random themes and extensions.
CachyOS has a list of desktop environments in its installer many of which look even more like Windows like KDE and Cinnamon.
TopdeckIsSkill@reddit
thanks! Considering that I plan to play on the notebook than maybe cachy is still the better solution
Ill_Specific_6144@reddit
How did zorin achieved more download than there are actual linux users?
algoadmiral@reddit
I have used the non pro version of zorin, felt really great seeing it become mainstream, though now I am on Ubuntu, planning to move to fedora.
Ok-Conversation-1430@reddit
Is this finally the year of the Linux desktop ?
k3rrshaw@reddit
No, bro. This is another year of the zorin marketing posts on r/linux, unfortunately.
Sorry_Platypus_8896@reddit
We've been saying this every year for the past 15 years lol, but maybe desktop Linux is finally getting momentum with all these user-friendly distros
PsychoticDreemurr@reddit
Why did everyone say it's the year of Linux in the past? Wasn't there for it but the past couple years I've been seeing nonstop reasons and ways for people to start using it regardless of their experience.
GolemancerVekk@reddit
It's "year of the Linux desktop", specifically, not year of Linux.
It's a running joke about the fact that Microsoft has been working to monopolize the PC desktop since the 80s. In every other segment (servers, mobile, embedded etc.) Linux has been used extensively, but on the desktop Microsoft has blocked any alternative.
There actually were many attempts from companies to offer a usable Linux desktop, going back 30 years, but Microsoft has sued all of them or worked backroom deals with OEMs to make sure none of them succeed. Sun had a Windows compatibility layer called Wabi (similar to WINE or Proton) back in the '90s for their UNIX workstations.
So basically the joke is "we know Microsoft will never let Linux become successful on the desktop but we'll keep improving it and can still joke about it".
DoctorJunglist@reddit
Why? It used to be just a meme. Year of the Linux desktop = current year + 1.
Lately though, it's been becoming a bit less memey and a bit more serious, because Linux has been picking up more traction than it used to.
ActuallyIndianAI@reddit (OP)
Lot of big things. Many promised not to switch to Win10. Then Proton. Then SteamOS hype.
PsychoticDreemurr@reddit
One could easily argue how that just lays the groundwork for the future of Linux. What's currently happening is the now not the later.
BolunZ6@reddit
And with huge effort from Valve to push Linux to average gamer
mySynka@reddit
the future is looking good mates
ActuallyIndianAI@reddit (OP)
as an absolute Linux noob, and a former Windows fan who got pissed off by really poor performance (I tolerated the ads, telemetry and AI slop) but just watching streams and normal web use be so sluggish made me switch to Zorin.
and it was effortless. Kinda looks like Windows and just works. Boots faster, battery life tripled no lie and it's just smooth as butter.
I know sentiment is that Zorin and Mint are for noobs but I think a lot of people will switch from Windows thanks to these noob distros.
da2Pakaveli@reddit
Doesn't matter if they're made for noobs. If it works for you, keep it.
It's all Linux under the hood anyways
420smoke0@reddit
Couldn't agree more. I am a noob at Linux as only used server os Debian. Not everyone is the same level as other's, people have different skill set or just wana get away from winbloat but simple to start.
YouRock96@reddit
The year of the Linux desktop will begin when more commercial companies start promoting Linux and new software ports become available.
codec264@reddit
Every year is the year of the Linux desktop
duckyduck008@reddit
l0l, no.
Glad-Weight1754@reddit
Nope. 😂
mainseeker1486@reddit
Peony’s member of that stat
simply-coastal@reddit
doesn’t mean crap, nobody is staying. I recommend avoiding Zorin tbh, Linux Mint is a better entry level distro.
Bubbly_Extreme4986@reddit
Burn in hell Microslop you and your vomit turd OS!
Human-Check828@reddit
Of course the most pleb oriented distro gets the most attention from outsiders. The user friendly reliance people have keeps them useless.
DarKliZerPT@reddit
God forbid the first contact with Linux of people who aren't that tech savvy be a distro that helps them out a little and provides a more familiar experience out of the box!
Human-Check828@reddit
I'm a true believer in drinking from the fire hose. I had to when I became a BSD dev in the 90's and there was nothing to hold my hand.
Like I said... reliance on easy keeps people dumb and useless.
Jarngreipr9@reddit
2 of the downloads were mine. In one case, Zorin went on an old machine whose MBR partition got obliterated in a failed triple boot attempt (not Zorin fault). In the other case, I switched to Ubuntu. I was impressed though, UX was very straightforward, neat and polished. I'm recommending it together with Fedora and Mint/Ubuntu for newcomers.
aBlindGeminiWhisper@reddit
zorin was my main drive for about a year or so a couple years ago, after I've migrated from ubuntu. it was easy since I knew ubuntu/debian but the hardware conflicts made me switch back to windows.
my only hope about linux gaming/daily drive is steam os and proton, atp. the second they somehow manage to get anti-cheat work on linux, no one can stop me from switching. imagine a world where your steam account brings you an entire operating system, free. no pay walls, no gatekeeping and no ai, unlike microslop. I hate the lack of anti-cheat implementations on linux for this particular reason. they are forcing millions of people to stay on windows, indefinitely. especially battle-eye.
Alonzo-Harris@reddit
I daily driver Zorin and I'd say it's on par with Linux Mint except better aesthetics. If you want Linux with a more polished look, go with Zorin OS.
BashfulMelon@reddit
Maybe if Zorin made something more valuable than marketing and themes they could crack the list of top distributions on Steam. As it stands, this number is just more marketing.
We seriously don't need another Ubuntu spin crowding out all of the actual distributions.
rresende@reddit
Doesn't meaning to much. Downloads is one thing, users using it is other
Arkhenstone@reddit
I am one of them. I'm working with windows and hate it. I was working with Linux mint for years, and loved it.
I was just scared to switch to Linux personally because getting games to run like MMO or windows games are still hit or miss. And like a feared, with an Nvidia, it was not straightforward.
For example, I downloaded zorin os and made install for Nvidia driver. Lot of bugs, bad resolution and couldn't sort it out. Made the classic install, working. Had to fiddle with drivers, for final fantasy had to not use FFXIV launcher but FFXIV launcher RB which is a fork to make it easier to choose things like proton/wine and dkvx and have better performance , at least equal to windows and stable 60 fps.
I also still don't understand why games (FFXIV but also V rising which are not the same developers and scale) both have an issue with my AZERTY input where all accentuated letters don't work ingame but works in the ingame chat. Like the inputs are sent but not recognised gameplay wise. Have to use an input remapper to transform accentuated keys to their numerals counterpart. But feels like a workaround.
Also couldn't get anno 117 to run for the free weekend, despite using bottles for platinum uplay, which was working but game launching was just not happening.
But this is ALL. Zorin os is simple, clean to my eyes, and mostly once it works, damn that it works.
420smoke0@reddit
Crazy!! ngl, I haven't tried this distro but seeing this number makes me happy that window's slowly dying and people seeing how open plus incredible Linux is for both gaming and general use.
420smoke0@reddit
Well I was gonna say before the deleted message
So i found a little something for the corsair which is called openlinkhub which its actually does work well and can control your fans. Yes with gaming not all games will work because AC and other things. Performance with Proton is good enough for me and also I'm seeing better performance then I did get on windows. Yes I agree it's not 10/10 and sometimes you do have to set some commands etc if using steam. I've managed to get most of my games to run also can check via protondb to see how other's have got the game running
Prudent-Nebula-3239@reddit
More accurately, Linux is better for everything except gaming and some hardware control.
It can run a lot of Windows games now, but it still doesn’t natively run the Windows gaming stack: DirectX, kernel anti-cheat, launchers, DRM, GPU tools, and vendor software. Proton is impressive, but it’s still working around a Windows first ecosystem, not replacing it.
On my 3000-series NVIDIA GPU, I can’t even change fan speed through the NVIDIA control panel on Linux. I still need Windows for things like my Corsair water cooler, fan curves, and other hardware controls. Even if I got some of it working, I’d keep dual boot as a backup so I don’t waste time fighting vendor software.
So no, Linux driver and hardware support is not 10/10. To make it game like Windows, you’d basically have to recreate the whole Windows gaming ecosystem: DirectX, anti-cheat, launchers, DRM, GPU polish, studio support, all of it. That’s billions of dollars and years of work.
Regular_Bat8162@reddit
And except music production and any creative avenue
__Amnesiac__@reddit
Put it on my laptop I use for dev work and my battery life doubled, cpu during my workload never even spins up the fans anymore. Wtf was windows doing
ActuallyIndianAI@reddit (OP)
My battery life tripled, I can't believe it. My business grade laptop is already 7 years old (but decent cpu and RAM) and I was confident that the battery life has come to an end due to age. I was so wrong. It was Microslop and Winbloat all the way.
lucidbadger@reddit
3/4 downloads from Windows? So most people just tried it and likely don't use it?
420smoke0@reddit
So like the other person said but in other words 3/4 of there download come from people who are on window's, rest is from other os like Linux maybe or apple etc.
GodsBadAssBlade@reddit
No, that means windows users are the majority of the folks who are interested. I.E. They're probably killing it in the advertising department
biztactix@reddit
If they could get their fleet management software out... honestly... it might be possible for small biz to use