It's made by two Ukrainian brothers in Ireland.

It's a franken debian. Which a lot of Linux users don't like for a variety of reasons but I think that debate is of a wider scope than this one submission.

The main Dev/Maintainer for Linux Mint 'Clem' is also based in Ireland. So these are the only two Linux distros I know of to be associated with the Irish tech scene which is small.

I don't use Zorin anymore, (I'm a dirty Ubuntu plebian) but I used to use it and it's great. The only thing I liked about Windows 11 was it's slick UI, and Zorin is basically the only Linux distro that replicates that without a ton of hassle. Zorin Connect is also awesome if you use your PC to watch TV on your TV.

If you're thinking of abandoning Windows, (which, honestly, who isn't these days) Zorin is a good choice.

Got my grandma a desktop from Free Geek (great org here in Portland, OR). Been running Zorin for many years and I basically gave her no instruction.

I'm really impressed at the amount of attention to detail and polish went into making this a nice transition point for Windows users. The idea that if someone tries to launch the Microsoft Office installer, it will gently redirect them to either LibreOffice or Office 365 on the web, is a great idea to enhance the overall user experience.

My favorite set-and-forget distro. I've migrated several non-techie family members off Windows onto Zorin and they've had zero issues. The elderly folks in particularly seem to find the UI easier than Windows, mainly because I switch them to the "windows-95" like desktop arrangement.

I have not tried Zorin, but it is near the top of distros I would give to a "set it and forget it" non-techie.

Anybody have a top 5 list for distros in this realm? I'm an Artix / OpenBSD guy these days and I feel like I'm too far down the rabbit hole to know what's good for new folks.

I'm a little confused: does it have its own DE, or is it just a heavily modified Gnome?

Zorin 18 is greeeaaat! Been a long time user.

I am using Zorin in my Computer Lab. It works well on legacy hardware. I am running Zorin on Intel Dual Core processor, 4 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD.

Given the positioning as an alternative to Windows 11 (and presumably macOS), I would have hoped that it didn’t chase the latest GUI design fashions.

Namesake? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Zorin

"Zorin forms a plan to destroy his only competition in Silicon Valley by triggering a massive earthquake in the San Andreas Fault at high tide, causing the valley to flood. Such a disaster would effectively wipe out all computer companies competing against Zorin in the world microchip market and leave him as the leading supplier of microchips; it would also kill millions of people."

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> Zorin OS is the alternative to Windows

Keep in mind that Zorin is a Linux-based OS and can't run Windows apps.

>With Zorin OS, your next computer can be the one you already own. It’s designed to be the perfect Windows replacement for everyday users, professionals, and everyone in between.

Sorry for sounding curt, but this is yet another flavor of the week distribution that claims it's the best choice for everyone. It's exactly what everyone has needed for decades.. There's nothing wrong with making yet another distro, but call it what it is: another shade of brown. It will not, ever, evolve itself beyond what hasn't already been delivered by the top distros. Users discard it when they're having issues and the next flavor of the week distribution is popular. Or the rug is pulled and the distro simply rots away. This is the defacto progression for Linux distros. It is nowhere close to a full replacement for everyone, let alone Windows 10.