Zorin OS is a unique operating system. Originally it was from Ireland. It brings the power and stability of Linux with a Windows background to the users. As you may know, Linux provides amazing features and a lot of applications and configurations for its users. And for some users, the Windows interface is more friendly. So Zorin OS is a good option for users to want to have these two OS features.
Introduction To Zorin OS for New Users
Essential Features of Zorin OS
At this point, we want to discuss about key features of Zorin OS. The most essential features include:
User Interface and Customization: The Zorin operating system is known for its flexibility and customization. It offers different themes and layouts. So these features make Zorin a user-friendly OS.
Compatibility and Software Availability: It is compatible with a lot of software including Windows and Linux applications.
Security Features: Because Zorin OS is built under Linux, it makes it a secure OS and includes amazing security features. Also, it is less prone to malware and viruses.
Advantages of Using Zorin OS
Another advantage of using Zorin OS is its high level of security. The operating system receives regular updates and patches to protect against security vulnerabilities, keeping your system safe from potential threats.
( Zorin OS is a reliable and user-friendly operating system that offers a great blend of ease of use, performance, and customization options, making it a suitable choice for users of all skill levels.)
Furthermore, Zorin OS offers customization options, allowing users to personalize their desktop environment to suit their preferences. Users can choose from different desktop layouts and themes, as well as install additional software and extensions to enhance the functionality of their system.
Zorin OS provides amazing customization options that users can use and customize their system
Comparison of Zorin OS with Other Operating Systems
Zorin OS distinguishes itself from other operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and MacOS in various aspects. Let’s briefly compare them.
Zorin vs Windows
Zorin OS provides a familiar interface for Windows users while enhancing security and stability. In contrast to the extensive Windows system, Zorin OS offers a more streamlined and lightweight experience.
Zorin vs MacOS
In terms of aesthetics, Zorin OS offers a design experience similar to MacOS. However, MacOS boasts superior hardware integration compared to Zorin OS.
Zorin vs Linux
Among Linux distributions, Zorin OS is recognized for its user-friendly interface. It provides greater customization options than mainstream operating systems and benefits from strong community support.
Getting Software
Note 1: All this software is also available in other popular Linux distributions such as Debian, Linux Mint, elementary OS, Pop!_OS, Fedora, Manjaro Linux, EndeavourOS and Arch Linux.
Note 2: For new users not comfortable with using the command-line checkout the Essential Apps section to get started. Also, if you scroll down further you’ll see other easy ways to get software applications through Flathub, Snap Store, and AppImages.
Proton is a tool for use with the Steam client which allows games that are exclusive to Windows to run on the Linux operating system. It uses Wine to facilitate this.
Gaming In Linux
Enable Proton in Steam
> Click on “Steam” then “Settings” to open the Settings window at the far-left corner.
> On the “Settings” window, click on “Steam Play.” Ensure you check the “Enable Steam Play for supported files” and “Enable Steam Play for all other titles” checkboxes. Lastly, select the Proton version you wish to use from the drop-down menu.
ProtonDB
ProtonDB is a collection of over 100,000 gaming reports from other gamers as they test games with Proton on Linux and provide aggregate scores of how well games perform. A growing pool of suggestions provides tweaks that you can try to get games working while Proton continues development. In addition to this, you may explore the Steam game catalog on this site to browse and discover a wide range of titles that were previously unavailable for use on Linux.
Lutris
Lutris is a gaming client for Linux. It gives you access to all your video games with the exception of the current console generation. Also, integrates nicely with other stores like GOG, Steam, Battle.net, Origin, Uplay and many other sources that allow you to import your existing game library and community maintained install scripts give you a completely automated setup.
Add Epic Games Store
GameHub is a unified library for all your games. It allows you to store your games from different platforms into one program to make it easier for you to manage your games.
GameHub supports:
- native games for Linux
- multiple compatibility layers:
- Wine
- Proton
- DOSBox
- RetroArch
- ScummVM
- WineWrap — a set of preconfigured wrappers for supported games;
- custom emulators
Multiple game platforms:
Game Streaming in Linux
Geforce NOW use the Chromebook version to play all your games in Google Chrome or any Chromium-based web browser such as Brave, Vivaldi, and Microsoft Edge. Also, available as a Electron Desktop App in the Snap store Geforce NOW.
Moonlight Game Streaming is a program that let you stream from your PC games over the Internet with no configuration required. Stream from almost any device, whether you’re in another room or miles away from your gaming rig.
Chiaki is a Free and Open Source Software Client for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 Remote Play for Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Android, macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch and potentially even more platforms.
Xbox Project xCloud is Microsoft’s cloud-based Xbox game-streaming technology (currently in Beta). Play games like Forza Horizon 4, Halo 5: Guardians, Gears of War 4, Sea of Thieves, Cuphead, Red Dead Redemption 2, and 100+ other games on your mobile device or Chrome web browser. Microsoft’s Xbox Project xCloud does require an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Game Emulators in Linux
RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players. It enables you to run classic games on a wide range of computers and consoles through its slick graphical interface. Settings are also unified so configuration is done once and for all.
Dolphin is an emulator for two recent Nintendo video game consoles: the GameCube and the Wii. It allows PC gamers to enjoy games for these two consoles in full HD (1080p) with several enhancements: compatibility with all PC controllers, turbo speed, networked multiplayer, and even more.
Citra is an open-source emulator for the Nintendo 3DS capable of playing many of your favorite games.
yuzu is an experimental open-source emulator for the Nintendo Switch from the creators of Citra.
DOSBox is an open-source DOS emulator which primarily focuses on running DOS Games.
MAME is a Arcade Machine Emulator.
xemu is an original Xbox emulator.
Graphics Performance in Linux
GreenWithEnvy (GWE) is a GTK system utility designed by Roberto Leinardi to provide information, control the fans and overclock your NVIDIA video card for better performance. Available in the Pop Shop as a Flatpak.
CoreCtrl is a free and open source Linux application that allows you to control your computer hardware with ease using application profiles for native and Windows applications, has basic CPU controls and full AMD GPUs controls (for both old and new models).
Geekbench 5 is a cross-platform benchmark that measures your system’s performance with the press of a button.
UNIGINE Superposition is an extreme performance and stability test for PC hardware: video card, power supply, cooling system.
WINE(Wine Is Not an Emulator) is a compatibility layer capable of running Windows applications on several POSIX-compliant operating systems, such as Linux, macOS, & BSD. Instead of simulating internal Windows logic like a virtual machine or emulator, Wine translates Windows API calls into POSIX calls on-the-fly, eliminating the performance and memory penalties of other methods and allowing you to cleanly integrate Windows applications into your desktop.
Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR)
SteamVR for Linux is the ultimate tool for experiencing VR content on the hardware of your choice. SteamVR supports the Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality headsets, and others.
OpenVR is an API and runtime that allows access to VR hardware(Steam Index, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift) from multiple vendors without requiring that applications have specific knowledge of the hardware they target.
OpenVR Benchmark on Steam is the first smart tool for reproducibly testing your real VR performance, rendering inside of your VR headset.
OpenHMD is an open-source API and driver that supports a wide range of HMD(head-mounted display) devices, such as Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Sony PSVR, and others.
openXR is a free, open standard that provides high-performance access to Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) collectively known as XR—platforms and devices.
Monado is the first OpenXR™ runtime for GNU/Linux. Monado aims to jump-start development of an open source XR ecosystem and provide the fundamental building blocks for device vendors to target the GNU/Linux platform.
Libsurvive is a set of tools and libraries that enable 6 dof tracking on lighthouse and vive based systems that is completely open source and can run on any device. It currently supports both SteamVR 1.0 and SteamVR 2.0 generation of devices and should support any tracked object commercially available.
Simula is a VR window manager for Linux that runs on top of Godot. It takes less than 1 minute to install. Simula is officially compatible with SteamVR headsets equipped with Linux drivers (e.g. HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro, & Valve Index). We have also added experimental support to OpenXR headsets that have Monado drivers (e.g. North Star, OSVR HDK, and PSVR). Some people have gotten the Oculus Rift S to run Simula via OpenHMD
Setting up a macOS workspace
REQUIREMENTS
- A modern Linux distribution
- QEMU > 2.11.1
- A CPU with Intel VT-x / AMD SVM support is required
- A CPU with SSE4.1 support is required for >= macOS Sierra
- A CPU with AVX2 support is required for >= macOS Mojave
- Internet access for the installation process
Open the terminal and run: sudo apt install qemu uml-utilities virt-manager dmg2img git wget libguestfs-tools p7zip
Sosumi is a app that let’s you download and install macOS in a VM.
Setting up a Windows 10 workspace
REQUIREMENTS
- A modern Linux distribution
- QEMU > 2.11.1
- A CPU with Intel VT-x / AMD SVM support is required
- WindowsGuestDrivers/Download Drivers – KVM
- Internet access for the installation process
Open the terminal and run: sudo apt install qemu uml-utilities virt-manager gnome-boxes
GNOME Boxes is an application that gives you access to virtual machines, running locally or remotely. It also allows you to connect to the display of a remote computer.
Using Android and Android Apps on Linux
Android Studio is the development suite for Google’s Android Operating System(OS). It’s built on JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA software and designed specifically for Android development. It is available for download on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Android Virtual Device (AVD) is a configuration in Android Studio that defines the characteristics of an Android phone, tablet, Wear OS, Android TV, or Automotive OS device that you want to simulate in the Android Emulator. The Android Emulator simulates Android devices on your computer so that you can test your application on a variety of devices and Android API levels without needing to have each physical device.
LineageOS is a free and open-source operating system for various devices, based on the Android mobile platform.
Anbox is an application that provides a container-based approach to boot a full Android system on a regular GNU/Linux system like Ubuntu, Debian Fedora, and openSUSE.
Anbox Cloud is the mobile cloud computing platform delivered by Canonical. Run Android in the cloud, at high scale and on any type of hardware.
Genymotion is a very fast Android emulator. The program itself is based on VirtualBox and is known for its effectively fast speed and is usefulness for running Android apps on a Windows, Mac and Linux desktop.
Desktop
Local virtual devices with high performances.
- Emulate a wide range of virtual device configurations (Android versions, screen size, hardware capacities, etc.)
- Simulate multiple scenarios thanks to our full set of hardware sensors (GPS, network, multitouch, etc.)
- Cross-platform: Windows, Mac and Linux
- Manipulate easily with ADB
- $412 per year for employees in a company (BUSINESS). All features, advanced support.
- $136 per year for freelancers (INDIE). All features, best effort support.
- Free for personal use only (learning & entertainment). Limited features, no support.
Scrcpy is an application by Genymotion that provides display and control of Android devices connected on USB (or over TCP/IP). It does not require any root access and works on GNU/Linux, Windows and macOS. The Android device requires at least API 21 (Android 5.0).
Conclusion
Zorin OS is a user-friendly operating system based on Ubuntu LTS, designed for easy use without the need for a steep learning curve. The Zorin Appearance app allows users to customize their desktop environment to resemble familiar interfaces like Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Zorin OS Ultimate offers a premium experience with additional apps and features, supporting the ongoing development of Zorin OS. For older computers, Zorin OS Lite provides a lightweight desktop environment for a fast and responsive experience on aging hardware.
Zorin Grid simplifies the setup, management, and security of multiple Zorin OS-powered computers in business, educational, or organizational settings. Additionally, tools like Etcher and Rufus facilitate the creation of bootable USB drives for flashing operating system images, enabling seamless installation and usage of various operating systems.
