Zorin Pro - yes or no?

[Trynna3]

Why yes or why no?
I understand it is on Ubuntu (I avoided Ubuntu for my other LMDE installation on another machine) and I understand Pro costs £47 to buy to get extra features.
What would be your argument for or against?
The reason I am exploring other options than LMDE is that LMDE seems to have a flatter sound from my inbuilt speakers in the AIO computer I plan to free of Win10 soon, that in contrast to what I hear from the speakers on Windows. So I expect Zorin might come with better drivers. I tried tweaks with additional software on LMDE (cannot recall their names from the top of my head, but they are commonly used) and it was a bit buggy, me then unable to control sound with keys on my keyboard, needing to go to some settings for the keyboard/OS to take control over the volume, otherwise it was the software which achieved the better sound that controlled the volume only.
I want something that just works.

 

[theLegionWithin]

for a creative type of person, the pro feature unlock might be useful. I havent tried it nor do I know how the gfx apps compare to something like GIMP or Adobe's Creative Cloud suite. I'd be surprised though if the desktop updates are any better than current KDE customizations .

what are the hardware specs for your AIO?

 

[Trynna3]

for a creative type of person, the pro feature unlock might be useful. I havent tried it nor do I know how the gfx apps compare to something like GIMP or Adobe's Creative Cloud suite. I'd be surprised though if the desktop updates are any better than current KDE customizations .

what are the hardware specs for your AIO?

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9500 CPU @ 3.00GHz 3.00 GHz
Installed RAM 16.0 GB (15.8 GB usable)
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touch Touch support with 10 touch points

I expanded RAM from 8 to 16 GB, but I already have modules for total 32GB, the max this machine can take.

 

[Trynna3]

And I am just a medium creative person, not doing Adobe, I have Canvas Workspace to use on my Scan'n'cut machine (the downloadable version with more functionalities) and for that I plan to install VM.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

At the bottom of the page below is what you get by pro edition:

Zorin OS Pro - Zorin OS

Zorin OS Pro brings together the best apps and most advanced features, so you can unleash the full potential of your computer to do your greatest work. It's the ideal choice for power users and creative professionals.

zorin.com

I'm really not impressed with these additions to pro so I'd not buy it.
You can make your OS pro for free by installing those additional's, there is plenty of high quality software that is free that could make your OS pro.

 

[dos2unix]

I'm really not impressed with these additions to pro so I'd not buy it.

Honestly, if I get all those things in other distros for free, why would I pay Zorin $$ to get them?

 

[CaffeineAddict]

Honestly, if I get all those things in other distros for free, why would I pay Zorin $$ to get them?

Yeah, if you look at last sentence in my screenshot above then that's about the only reason, to support Zorin OS development.
You gotta love Zorin to support it, but other that this the payment makes no benefit for my taste.

 

[Trynna3]

Exploring the Zorin further on their web page I appreciate they support Miracast. I failed to connect my laptop with LMDE with my LG smart TV (but the Samsung tablet connects seamlessly). Someone suggested some github option, but I am not familiar with github and I have heard about a lot of malware there, too, so not going that direction.
I might even turn my laptop to Zorin or some other similar distro that connects to my TV.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

Someone suggested some github option, but I am not familiar with github and I have heard about a lot of malware there

A thumb of rule for using software from GitHub and similar sites is to download from repos that have some contributors and stars, more contributors and stars the better, this means malware is very unlikely.

As for using GitHub it's not really hard, there is only about 3-5 command lines to download a repo and compile it, almost every repo also has instructions on how to use.

 

[f33dm3bits]

Honestly, if I get all those things in other distros for free, why would I pay Zorin $$ to get them?

Maybe it's a way to allow you to give a donation to the distribution and making you feel like you get something in return for donating while at the same time helping the developers out.

 

[nikNiz]

Maybe it's a way to allow you to give a donation to the distribution and making you feel like you get something in return for donating while at the same time helping the developers out.

This is ok. And the additional layouts.
But the price is too high, so no!

 

[f33dm3bits]

But the price is too high, so no!

It's cheaper compared to Windows 11, over 50% cheaper.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-home/dg7gmgf0krt0

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-pro/dg7gmgf0d8h4

Maybe half a week of groceries depending where you live.

If you don't find it worth the donation for those features than just use a different distribution that has all of them without it requiring a donation.

 

[Trynna3]

It's cheaper compared to Windows 11, over 50% cheaper.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-home/dg7gmgf0krt0

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-11-pro/dg7gmgf0d8h4

Maybe half a week of groceries depending where you live.

Depending on the licence. I think they are called OEM and I got one for Win11 Pro for under £20.

 

[f33dm3bits]

I think they are called OEM and I got one for Win11 Pro for under £20

OEM are intended for devices where Windows is pre-installed. Not that you can use the license to install it on any device, you need a Retail license for that.

Difference Between OEM and Retail Windows Keys - PC Outlet

When you decide to purchase a copy of Microsoft's Windows operating system, you will typically have to choose between two versions: OEM (Original Equipment

pcoutlet.com

 

[KGIII]

I was looking at their FAQs section...

We will continue to support Zorin OS 17 with software updates until at least June 2027, and you will be able to use Zorin OS 17 Pro for life.

Those two things are incompatible. The software is only supported for a couple more years. Using it after support ends is a horrible idea and I have no idea why they'd promote such a horrible idea. I mean, technically you can keep using it - and you can keep using Windows XP if you wanted.

 

[Trynna3]

OEM are intended for devices where Windows is pre-installed. Not that you can use the license to install it on any device, you need a Retail license for that.

Difference Between OEM and Retail Windows Keys - PC Outlet

When you decide to purchase a copy of Microsoft's Windows operating system, you will typically have to choose between two versions: OEM (Original Equipment

pcoutlet.com

Which is most computers on the market these days... but a good point.

 

[Trynna3]

I was looking at their FAQs section...



Those two things are incompatible. The software is only supported for a couple more years. Using it after support ends is a horrible idea and I have no idea why they'd promote such a horrible idea. I mean, technically you can keep using it - and you can keep using Windows XP if you wanted.

I have missed that bit. Can you upgrade to new Zorin for free, too? Without needing it reinstalled?

 

[KGIII]

Can you upgrade to new Zorin for free, too?

No, they make that clear. You only get 17 Pro. You need to pay for 18 when it comes out.

Without needing it reinstalled?

That I can't answer. The answer is probably online somewhere but wasn't something I noticed on their page.

 

[Trynna3]

No, they make that clear. You only get 17 Pro. You need to pay for 18 when it comes out.



That I can't answer. The answer is probably online somewhere but wasn't something I noticed on their page.

OK, I meant if you get a free version, can you upgrade to the new one without needing to reinstall?
Does anyone know?

 

[dos2unix]

Does anyone know?

It looks like they support upgrade in place.

Upgrade Zorin OS

Upgrade Zorin OS from a previous version, or from a free edition to Zorin OS Pro.

help.zorin.com