Late 2023 I arrive v17 of this distribution whose objectives include inviting Windows users to make the leap to Linux. A few moments ago, the project has made official the launch of Zorin OS 17.1, which is the first medium update in this series. Among its new features, the inclusion of WINE 9.0 and Bottles stands out, which improves compatibility with Windows operating system applications. But that is not all.
It is striking that more than 78% of the downloads that have been made since Zorin OS 17 was released were from proprietary platforms such as Windows and macOS, from which we learn at least two things: one is that there are many people who switch to Linux from other platforms and their destination is Zorin, and the other is that "only" 22% of new users come from platforms such as Linux (they do not give details of whether *BSD users, among others, are included).
Zorin OS 17.1 Highlights
As we have already mentioned, one of the most notable novelties is that it has improved support with Windows applications, and the main culprit of this, but not the only one, is WINE 9.0. Additionally, Zorin now includes Bottles, which has picked up the crown left by PlayOnLinux and is one of the best and easiest options for running Windows applications on Linux.
If anyone doesn't know what it is Bottles, he explains my colleague Isaac in an article from a couple of years ago, but it can be summarized by saying that it is a program that facilitates the installation of Windows software on Linux, for which it makes use of what they call "bottles." It has all kinds of configurations to maximize compatibility, and these configurations are made per bottle; each one with its parameters so that the program works as well as possible.
Among the rest of the new features, new versions of applications are included, such as LibreOffice 24.2, and continues as always with support for flatpak, AppImage and Snap packages.
In the design and user interface improvements section, thumbnails have been added that will be seen in the file manager for .exe files (Windows executables), .appimage, RAW images and .epub.
Same kernel as Ubuntu 23.10 and security patches
Zorin OS 17.1 use now Ubuntu kernel 23.10 (6.5), with support for new hardware, including:
- Intel Core Ultra processors.
- AMD Zen 4 CPUs (Including newer Ryzen and EPYC chips).
- NVIDIA graphics cards.
- Wi-Fi Chipsets.
- Steam deck
- More game controllers.
The latest security patches are also pre-installed on the system.
Education Edition Now Available
The other most notable novelty is related to teaching and learning, and that is that Zorin OS 17.1 has also arrived Education together with Core and Pro. Includes the latest Zorin OS improvements mixed with educational software. By popular request, this edition now includes Reading Strip, which we read about on GitHub:
«It is an extension for Gnome-Shell. It works as a reading guide for the computer and this is really useful for people affected by dyslexia. It works very well to help children focus their reading very well, it marks the sentence they are reading and hides the previous and next one. It is already used in educational projects in schools, it focuses attention on the screen but is also very useful for programmers and graphic designers who want to review their work«.
Another novelty in the Education edition is logseq, a collaborative notes tool.
How to update to Zorin OS 17.1
For users already on 17.0, upgrading is as simple as heading to the software updater and installing all available packages. Those of 16.x can do it as we explain here.
For new installations, the new Zorin OS 17.1 ISO images are available on the project download page. The normal edition is the Core, Education is for educational use and the Pro has extra functions, but with a price of €40 with taxes included.