Zorin OS: Powerful Windows Alternative Teases Major Update Launch

Zorin OS: Powerful Windows Alternative Teases Major Update Launch

Impending End of Windows 10 Support Raises Concerns

As Windows 10 approaches its end-of-life milestone next month, advocacy groups focused on the right to repair are expressing significant concerns over this transition. An estimated 400 million devices globally may become vulnerable as they are not eligible for an upgrade to the newer Windows 11.

Zorin OS: A Promising Alternative

In response to this situation, Zorin Group is promoting its Zorin OS as a viable alternative to both Windows and macOS. This operating system is crafted to deliver a faster, more efficient, and privacy-conscious computing experience for those who cannot transition to the latest Microsoft offering. Based on Ubuntu Linux’s Long-Term Support (LTS) framework, Zorin OS seeks to enhance user experience beyond what Windows currently provides.

Targeted Audience and System Requirements

Designed with home users, educational institutions, and businesses in mind, Zorin OS aims to offer a familiar interface while minimizing the hardware demands and telemetry associated with mainstream operating systems. The Zorin team asserts that their OS can effectively operate on PCs as old as 15 years, requiring just a 1 GHz dual-core processor, 2 GB RAM, and 15 GB of storage space. This thoughtful optimization contributes to a notably responsive user experience.

Versions and Features

Initially launched in 2009, Zorin OS has evolved to version 17.3, released this March. It includes several editions: Core and Education are freely available, while the Pro version is priced at $47.99 and offers enhanced features, including six additional desktop layouts. Furthermore, the Lite edition, based on the XFCE desktop environment, caters specifically to low-spec hardware, while Core and Pro utilize the GNOME Shell interface.

User-Friendly Desktop Experience

Each version of Zorin OS comes equipped with the Zorin Appearance application, which simplifies the process of switching between various layouts, emulating not only Windows 11 and Windows Classic but also macOS, ChromeOS, GNOME 2, and Ubuntu.

Zorin OS Windows App Support Layer

App Compatibility and Future Updates

For users concerned about software compatibility, Zorin OS facilitates the installation of Windows applications through integrated Wine and Bottles compatibility layers. According to Zorin, most software based on EXE and MSI Windows installers should function adequately. Additionally, a dedicated Windows App Support layer combines Wine and PlayOnLinux to streamline this process.

The company has announced that upcoming releases will further optimize performance, enhance hardware compatibility, and improve cross-device integration. Recently, Zorin OS teased the upcoming release date for version 18 on its official X handle.

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