Zorin OS 5 Core - Windows Styled Linux Distro Review

[Kr00lplatinum]

Why would you want to buy this Linux distro when you can get Linux Mint 12 for free?

[SlaptMan]

ZORIN is The Best Distro!

[JOOP60606]

CRAP

Kept crashing on live disk.

Ubuntu is half the size and never crashes.

[MogrooT2]

anyone has ati drivers? and use zorin? any problems?

[ALk69DA]

these animations are from the core version or did you dowloaded somewhere?

[sk00lisforchumps]

okay, if you can help me with this, i was able to install zorin os 3.2 fine but when i try to install zorin os 5.2 as soon i select the boot media i get a simple error saying "Boot Error" ive tried to download 32 bit and 64 bit but everytime i burn it to my thumb drive i get the error

[quidsup]

@sk00lisforchumps I think its to do with the Ubuntu 10.04 based Startup disk creator not being able to work with 11.04 based iso's. Try unetbootin instead

[sk00lisforchumps]

@quidsup ive tried unetbootin, but i still recieve Boot Error when i select it as the Bootable drive.

[quidsup]

@sk00lisforchumps Add this repository and try with updated version of unetbootin

ppa:gezakovacs/ppa 

[CODZILLA19]

There is also an install app but it sais its gonna delete windowns and i dont want that

[CODZILLA19]

I downloaded zorin os with unetbootin so when i boot my laptop i can choose for zorin or vista but once i shutdown it resets zorin.

What must i do?

[PearOSDev]

@qwertman99 Minecraft is a java program and java works on ubuntu so it should work with this.

[MassProductions2011]

one question which zorin os did u install???? was it the free one please reply it would be very helpul

[quidsup]

@MassProductions2011 It was the free one - Zorin OS Core. Don't think the others had been released when I did this vid

[JOOP60606]

@MassProductions2011 maybe you could say "P'LEASE' - why no manners???

[MassProductions2011]

@JOOP60606 yEAH NEXT TIME JUST DONT SAY ANYTHING

[MassProductions2011]

@JOOP60606 oH SORRY PLEASE!

[qwertman99]

Can You Use Minecraft Whit This?

[Kr00lplatinum]

@qwertman99 Why wouldn't you be able to? Mine craft runs natively on Linux. You don't need to use WINE.

[scotty121400]

1 more hour and the download should be finnished

[fardinproductionz]

that has mainly ubuntu linux aplications only the look is like windows 7 you can make ubuntu look like windows at gnome look this is a rubbish os i use ubuntu and windows 7 so please tell me wat this os has acheived in my eyes its nothing

[456thevineeth]

why do you hate Google Chrome ?

[Warez244]

I would change the style to gnome for sure !....

[456thevineeth]

is it available in KDE

[456thevineeth]

just AWESOME review ! 

[cordimick]

what if i want to install something such as a game or program that requires windows or mac os? is there any way I can allow the program to run in this os?

[quidsup]

@cordimick Yes it would run through Wine. Take a look a the Wine AppDB to check compatibility of any Windows apps you want to run in Linux.

I don't think theres a way of getting Mac apps to run in Linux

[scotty121400]

Wait i need this answered ASAP whats the differences between Ubuntu,Xbuntu,Kbuntu,Mythbuntu­,and Zorin?

[quidsup]

@scotty121400 They are all based on Ubuntu but with different styling, memoy requirements, and pre-installed apps.

Mythbuntu is for HTPC's, the rest are for desktop / laptop usage. I have done video reviews of them all except Mythbuntu

[scotty121400]

if i was to install Zorn how would i get back to windows 7?

[quidsup]

@scotty121400 You can dual boot with Windows 7. If you want to remove Zorin you'll need your original Windows 7 install disk and use that to reinstall the Windows boot loader

[livingdaylight]

Zorin, seems to be basically, Ubuntu but made ugly with a windows desktop look. It would have been nice to have more of the functional difference and windows/compatibility enhancement, i.e. the raison-d'etre for Zorin, if there is any. Otherwise, its just the worst of both worlds. Is there some special wine integration that makes it better than ubuntu for those wanting to use windows apps on Linux

[quidsup]

@livingdaylight I don't think there was anything special done with Wine. This distro provides a familiar look and feel for Windows users, thats pretty much what its about.

I don't like it because I think Windows is a hideous looking OS.

[livingdaylight]

@quidsup Thanks for clarifying and confirming what I feared. As I use wine if this was specifically tweaked I might have considered it; otherwise no point. I agree its ugly. I think its a shame that there are so many vanity projects out there: taking a distro and re-theming it and giving it a new name, effectively duplicating previous efforts, instead of contributing to already existing distros instead, and even more than distros - 1st class applications!

[quidsup]

@livingdaylight Too true theres far too any Distros about. I get requests all the time to review someones Ubuntu remix where they've changed wallpaper and installed a bunch of apps Im not interested in. I end up ignoring most of those requests.

I would also much rather see better apps than more distros.

[Konjeaux]

I am very interested in this os, but on top of what Baboonaiih had to say.. How do you create a live CD of the os? Please respond!

[bozobozo]

@Konjeaux

Download the CD/DVD file ( .iso) and use an application such as Nero to burn it into a CD. Then, pop the CD into the tray and reboot.

You may need to change the boot order in your BIOS in order to boot from the CD.

Alternatively, you can "burn" to a USB stick using a program called "UNetBootIN" (look it up)

Hope that helps

[MrImmy1011]

I got a proble when i installed zorin on the comp all of the anamation stoped anamatin help like when u close an application it doestn do the bricky thing

[quidsup]

@MrImmy1011 Did it work and has stopped working?

Or has it never worked, in which case you don't have a powerfull enough graphics card to do the 3d animations.

[MrImmy1011]

@quidsup it worked before i installed it and when i did install it , it stopped working btw i have a dell inspiron 5100

[t00018414]

hi friend, i don't speak English very well, i speak Spanish and i am needing help.

i have installed windows 7 and i want install zorin 5.1 but i don't know what I have to do for install zorin in Spanish languaje because everyone of my family speak Spanish.

what i can do

[quidsup]

@t00018414 Have a look at video on installing Ubuntu. They have the same installer and I would expect theres a Spanish video on installing Ubuntu?

[broederjacobs]

Is it me or did the window control ssuddenly move to the right in the middle of the video?

[Baboonaiih]

1. Does this support any screen captures, or are you using a virtual system.

2. Will this cause any damage to my very expensive laptop and windows7? Because I would kill someone if all my hard earned money went down the drain.

3. By that I mean will this delete windows7???

4. Anything else I should know before installing!?

I want this sooo bad but I am sooo scared to mess with my computer in this way!

[quidsup]

@Baboonaiih 1. Yes, Im being lazy and using Zorin in Virualbox with Ubuntu as the host OS. You can have exactly the same apps in Zorin that you can in Ubuntu.

2. Unlikely

3. During the Install you get the choice whether you want to Replace Windows 7 or Install Zorin along side it

4. You can try Zorin out running it as a live CD before making a decision about installing it. If you don't like it simply reboot and eject the CD then you'll be back to Windows

[Baboonaiih]

@quidsup So I have been trying to burn it to a DVD-R but it says there is something on it. I format it and it still doesn't work. Will a CD work?

[Contian1001]

lol you said it was being ridiculosly slow while its uploading but while its uploading its still faster than windows

[TheMRTIMBUK2]

hehe people Say Bill stolen MAC Idea :P lolxxxx

look at this now...

quidsup You are Funny :)

[MonashDoan]

Great video - thanks.

[partenomesopotamia]

yeah yeah "Text To Speech"...very funny, i used it with firefox add ons "webmail notifier" ...when arrive email, play back voice eheh .

[naples853]

Hi Friend,i tried Zorin 5 ,for the first time, from few day (x temp. substit. of Ubuntu 11.10. which any problems. i user it in dual boot ). This OS is super... ubuntu in a different graphical form... who has programmate it is a Very Genius. I recommend it to everyone. Wonderfull OS ,and i use it in dual boot on the old notebook. (waiting "stable" Ububntu 11.10). Bye.

[159tony]

I'm currently downloading Zorin os as we speak, BUT i need an answer to my guesstion, does it support wireless internet connetion of wlan connection? because i am sharing the connection with my landlord. so does it support it? and also, just currious, it works 100% surely on a laptop?

[quidsup]

@159tony probably, but I can't say for sure without knowing what hardware you've got.

Try booting into Zorin off a Live CD you'll soon find out whether it works or not. If it doesn't simply reboot and you'll be back to your old os

[159tony]

@quidsup well i guess it's the only option since vista that i have on my laptop is givin' me so much trouble now day and i heard that this is the most stable and reliable OS compared to windows operating systems. but thank you from the info, i'll try to get a dvd to burn Zorin on

[smartypants7777]

@159tony Yes it supports it. I installed operating system, plugged in my wlan, installed driver by itself, asked if I wanted to connect. And was done. Awesome system. Mind boggling what it can do.

[159tony]

@smartypants7777 thank you man, i'm gratefull that i finally got a sure answer. still need to get that damn dvd that i'm gonna burn it on :D

[maki1300]

my parents mostly do the basics; browsing, play movies/music and office (docs + spreadsheets). i want to give them Linux OS without alienating them. they are use to the windows experience. this seems a decent linux distro to welcome newcomers...

[quidsup]

@maki1300 Yes this will be ideal

[maki1300]

@quidsup YEAH! did more research Zorin does seem solid :D for an everyday OS to work in for average-to-novice users. IMO, buying win7 isnt practical if you just need basic computing!

GREAT REVIEW! KUDOS! am givin zorin a try :)

[stephenawolfe]

Just curious if this is still an active, ongoing project. This seems like a great alternative to Windows, but I have numerous concerns before I mass market this OS in the US. Are there any infringement concerns which may impede future progress of this project?

~Thanks.

[quidsup]

@stephenawolfe Its still an active project its within the top 20 most popular Linux distros.

There is one infringement - The Patent encumbered codecs come pre-installed, not a problem if its hosted in a country not that hot on patent laws. Marketing this distro in the US could cause problems though.

Ubuntu (distro which Zorin is built on) gets around it by not supplying the codecs but allowing the user install them later on.

[MonsterFishKeeper1]

@quidsup hello i just put zorin os 5 core on my laptop i have a ? the 3d desktop box how do i put other pages on the other sides and i here u cen put pics on the top and bottom of that box how do i do that as well i have bin looking how to do it and cant find any info on it i would like to flip the box and have vlc player then youtube then ebay then my hard drive plz help thanks

[91jmda]

Hey guys, im a distro hopper and i want to stop and i was wondering if this Zorin OS is a good choice, based on Ubuntu the support and other stuff is large and i dont care if it looks like Windows, and dont suggest Arch or Slack cause im still not ready n.n''

[quidsup]

@91jmda Debian would be a good choice if you want to stop Distro hopping.

The main feature of this OS is that it looks like Windows, if you're not worried about that then there really isn't much incentive to go for this OS.

Pinguy, Mint, or Icefeast have a similar style Gnome classic look and are all based on Ubuntu

[91jmda]

@91jmda Just used it, im very impressed by it =0 the compiz effects are very well setup, Gnomenu actually works and it looks so polished and visually pleasing, i dont want Debian cause i had my issues with it... im confused why Zorin isnt in Distrowatch's top 10 at least n.n

[quidsup]

@91jmda Fair do's stick Zorin as its working out well. Distrowatch has Zorin in 17th place, hmmm not bad considering its mostly older mainstream distros ahead of it.

[softpctips]

@91jmda Zorin OS is fine. The current release works well on my 1-GB of RAM system. I used Firefox on top of it though.

[vaina001]

Hey guys, please don’t take the following in a bad way but does anybody have or know where the ultimate 64 bit version can be downloaded besides the distro website? fileshare, torrent, dropbox link?

[91jmda]

@vaina001 There's no shame in asking so don't worry, I also searched that but I haven't found anything yet.

[GhostSquad57]

I'm loving Zorin OS so far! I like how it comes pre-installed with very useful Programs and Video/Audio Codecs, also REALLY liking Compiz effects.

For everybody that doesn't like the Windows style interface, you could just use Look Changer, (which comes pre-installed) and change it to the classic GNOME interface, which is what I did. :)

[jeminiguy]

@S3Review only thing I dont get is, If people are gonna put the "Ah" sound to the "U"... why dont they say

AhBahntah?? :-/ just curious

(and so you know, this is all just in fun) ;-)

But I get annoyed when people say words incorrectly, such as "Harrisment" in place of Harassment, etc.

[jeminiguy]

@S3Review haha, I guess you're right.

Hence forth, I shall pronounce Ubuntu... "Bob" :D

[jeminiguy]

ok it's really annoying when people say Ubuntu wrong.

It's pronounced Oooboontoo... not AhBahntoo

GET IT RIGHT PEOPLE!!!

it's like the idiots who say Jagewar reather than Jagwar (meaning Jaguar)

[timothyzeppelin]

hey very nice explanation there :) I'm wondering, how about the performance? Any crashes? Is it possible to open Mic office 2007 data with Libra office? Appreciate, mate (Y)

[quidsup]

@timothyzeppelin Zorin runs a lot faster than windows and its never crashed on me. Yes you can open Office 2007 docs with Libreoffice. Cheers

[vaina001]

@timothyzeppelin Its actually really fast, I've used both ubuntu 10.10 and 11.04 64bit versions and Zorin feels faster out of the box even with many compiz effects enabled, and the GUI just looks really polished and nice.

[PeterHacker956]

fuck it didn't work on my pc i will stick with ubuntu :c

[PeterHacker956]

Its pretty awesome to have Zorin on your PC cause it goes fast and smoothly I will get it by 2morow though I need to buy the pen drive so I can boot it to my Windows 7 you need to download Zorin and Unetboot so you can boot hope I helped :D

[HaligonianType1]

Great review. I am going to give this a go later today. Thumbed up and faved! On another note, WHO WANTS TO FIGHT?!

[dozyvan]

thanks man gona use this OS as the step between Linux and windows for my less computer knolageable friends ^_^

[Tamrowan]

this is a totally ripped from windows...... zorin just wanna make themselves famous by coming up with some stupid ideas and flinging it into a digital display item and making it look like KDE, thats not what computers were born for..... INSTALL UBUNTU!!!!

Thumb up if you agree

[quidsup]

@Tamrowan Its what some people want. Not me though I would rather have something that looks completely different like Ubuntu with lots of nice compiz effects.

[Danzoizanagi]

@Tamrowan

no idiot, it makes it easier for windows users to migrate to linux.

[TheMoukis]

Is there a way to install a Mac OS X theme on Zorin OS 5 Core? I hate having to pay 10 euros just for that. Otherwise I will keep the default view.

[quidsup]

@TheMoukis I expect you might be able to get a Mac OSX theme for Ubuntu 11.04 which would work alright on Zorin 5. Sorry I don't know how you would get the actual Zorin Mac theme without going for the premium version

[splendidsquirrel]

@TheMoukis try Pinguy OS

[quidsup]

@diegolfz18 hehe cheers

[superulloabrothers]

hey quidsup which linux distro do you prefer? like which do you personally use?

[quidsup]

@superulloabrothers My preference is Ubuntu, Im on 11.04 at the moment but will be making an early jump to 11.10 in the next couple of weeks

[experimental0000]

I thought Zorin os 5 core also had Mac OSX look to it as well as 7 2000 and xp and linux gnome

[quidsup]

@experimental0000 I think one of the other versions of Zorin has it.

[blackoutworm]

When you mentioned that new updates will slow your system down...

Use Ubuntu Tweak to clean the cache, temp, old kernels and unnecessary config.

That will speed up your system again.

[quidsup]

@blackoutworm Sorry I thought I said updates won't slow your system down. But yeah thanks for the sugestion

[Spamazoid]

PinguyOS is pretty sweet too and Linux Mint. all are similar to Windows

yet have the speed advantage.

If only they could play games fully it would be all the way.

I have no toubles with WIndows 7, find it fast, reliable 95% of the time. and customizable and is only unstable and insecure if you make it so.  Windows does it all, however it's nice to have alternative ways of doing things

[hellertytus]

Arch linux rules :D

[testingte]

So far Zorin has been proving to be nice, stable, and smooth! Nice set of pre-installed programs as well.

A bit upset that it has the same graphic card issue that a majority of Linux Distros I tried out, but I suppose it is to be expected from *my* card >.< (Hoping to get upgrade soon)

I like the look changer too! And I noticed that the LXDE version of Zorin comes with a Mac look as well ;) (However I wouldn't recommend installing compiz on the LXDE zorin)

Overall: great, stable OS!

[Gatorman32656]

Thorough and informative.

[FrostPlutarc]

I use Windows for my gamer and Ubuntu for my desktop.  I would have preferred Amarok instead of Banshee. I realize Amarok is KDE nevertheless, it's great.

[quidsup]

@FrostPlutarc I've only seen a couple of Gnome based Distros that comes with Amarok pre-installed. I like some of the features in Amarok but then I found it too complicated to do something as simple as random play

[stunnathunder]

Started testing Zorin out a few months ago. Thought it was funny how much it resembled windows.

[robertboys1]

a question as well as Zorin brings Windows 7, XP and Vista you can install windows programs..........

[tostoday]

I agree with your score but.....you UK folks have a wicked sense of humor - the good point is it looks like Windows and the bad point is it looks like Windows. Ok fine-

as a Windows user I like Ubuntu but I don't like it because it looks like Linux - LOL!

[quidsup]

@tostoday lol cheers. I knew with this distro it was going to be one of those things you either like it or not.

It would be good is if Ubuntu could come with a similar selection of pre-installed software.

[tostoday]

@quidsup I would have to agree. This is a perfect OS for example, if I was new to Linux, only knew Windows, no Tostoday channel, nothing else, etc...then Zorin would probably make me comfortable. As a dual booter, it's this or Linux Mint.

[TonyBurke100]

@quidsup Have you tried Ubuntu 11.04 yet, it's amazing and if you don't like the new, "Unity" desktop it's a simple operation to log in with the classic Ubuntu Gnome desktop. What do you mean Ubuntu hasn't got much software ? It comes with everything you need plus some,. and if you want more there's the FREE software centre & Synaptic Package manager which have hundreds maybe thousands of free easy downloadable and installable applications. Much more than XP would have by default.

[quidsup]

@TonyBurke100 Yes Im using 11.04 on my Netbook. Would like to be using it on my desktop, however I had some quality issues with Screencasts and ended up having to go back to 10.10

[TonyBurke100]

@tostoday I would have thought that it's not how it looks so much (it doesn't take long to learn different layouts) as it's about performance and that's where Linux wins me. Linux is heaps more stable with NO VIRUSES,MALWARE, SPYWARE etc How something looks doesn't really enter the equation. I tried XP again a few weeks ago because it was installed on a PC that I found in the street and it was absolutely horrible, I couldn't wait to install Ubuntu into it. When I did the PC was as smooth as silk

[tostoday]

@TonyBurke100 Hello there! Yes, Linux is king when it comes to security. For stability, Windows is and briefly-

for me Win 7 has been flawless, surprised? yes! Now, I have come to the conclusion that if Windows 7 is unstable (not XP) then there are 3 reasons: virus, bad hardware or some sort defect and or pirated copy. If hard ware is good, no virus and you bought computer new then I believe it's impossible for Win 7 to be unstable.

You found XP PC on street? Of course it's horrible! :)

[musicalmike235]

I never heard of this distro before. Is it new? Do you know if it is being sponsored by a company or if its a pure community effort?

[quidsup]

@musicalmike235 Its community effort. They're also selling PCs with Zorin preinstalled through their website

[74ryanwolf]

You get Windows 2000, Windows Vista, and OSX style on the ultimate edition. at least you did on zorin 4 in the look changer

[Ograws]

Might give this to the next person I know who needs a break from Windows or Mac

[TechnOtakuVideos]

cool, I think I'll show this to some friends.

[DARKZAYCHAOS]

240p FTW

[quidsup]

@DARKZAYCHAOS lol its still being processed

[DARKZAYCHAOS]

@quidsup I know lol

[JackSituation]

@quidsup I talked to you days ago about a Good text-to-speech native for Linux. That's because I use a real good whith WINE now.

Gespeaker became avaliable just a few time in the Software Center, untill it became stable, before that, you would have to search on forums. 2 years ago I installed, like in a compile mode. Well it was the best t-t-s at the time, but 2 years later, no much improvements. I will talk to Canonical if they can make good a real good text-to-speech native for Ubuntu.

[JackSituation]

@quidsup LOL it suprises me how Linux hardusers do not search for necessary native software, beside codecs and flash player. Text-to-speech and virtual keyboard is necessary on acessability.