Review Zorin OS6

Zorin OS 6 – LITE

• Boot time is under 20 seconds.
• Windows users would be very comfortable with the Win2000 clone layout. While it does have that feel “windows-feel” it is done nicer than windows.
• Built on Lubuntu, it is lightweight and super fast.
• Very minimalistic on the apps, and a couple choices that I think were made to make it fit on CD, but better alternatives exist.
• Zorin Extra Software Installer was a nice touch, very user friendly and would help new converts or Windows-refugees decide if they need certain extra softwares.
• I’m pleased to see Chromium set by default and the interesting twist with the “Browser Selector” which lets you decide which browser you want and install it quickly. Give the options of FireFox, Chromium, Opera and Midori.
• A noticeable firewall configuration option to encourage security.
• Zorin Look Changer that gives options to change from the Windows 2000 look to look like OSX (requires user to re-login to change)
• Overall take away: I’m impressed, would definitely consider recommending it to those wanting to change from Windows or OSX but were still wanting something familiar.

Zorin OS 6 – Core

•  Booted in 30 seconds but menu wasn’t usable for another ten seconds, total “usable boot” time up to 40seconds.
• Windows users would be very comfortable with the Win7 clone layout. While it does have that feel “windows-feel” its not as nice as the Lite version’s menu.
• Chrome set by default and the “Browser Selector” lets you decide which browser you want and install it quickly. Give the options of FireFox, Chrome, Opera and Midori.  – I’m surprised they went away from Chromium to Chrome, but that’s just personal preference.
• App selection doesn’t differ that much from Ubuntu 12.04 which it is based on, with the obvious exception of the desktop environment.
• Some might see this is a con, but I did like that the Installer icon for the distro is buried a couple of clicks deeps into the menu bar, which would help from accidentally wiping drive while testing.
• Noticed a nice diagnostic tool, Ubuntu System Tester.
• Being ever the backup minded individual, I enjoyed seeing the backup app firmly attached to the GnoMenu’s quicklaunch.
• I noticed that both the Update Manager and the Package Manager were buried a few clicks deep on the menu bar, which could slow things down slightly when trying to update.
• One negative that I saw was that just to pull up the option for the Look Changer, you are notified you have to perform a full install just to test that feature.  Their website shows it has several options, which honestly they could have included without install since they are still under 2gb on their iso.  The major downside of this is that the full install requires 8.4 gb of hdd and my sandbox only was set for 8gb.
• Overall take away: I’d have to test it again after an install, but it’s slightly sluggish as a LiveCD.  I think there should be another spin option somewhere between Core and Lite, which would be the perfect disc to hand out to friends to help convert them from their current shackled desktop.