Christmas gifts are arriving in the form of new versions of Linux distributions. If a few moments ago we reported the availability of Rhino Linux 2023.4, now we have to do the same with the launch of a somewhat more popular distribution. It is the one that many media recommend to make the jump from Windows to Linux, and it is now available Zorin OS 17. She has not caught us by surprise, since they were warning for days.
But knowing news doesn't take away the joy when the moment arrives, or else telling Apple fans with each new iPhone. The Zorin developers have been adding many improvements in the latest versions of their operating system, and Zorin OS 17 improvement in sections such as the Zorin Menu (start menu), something that we constantly access regardless of the operating system we are in.
What's New in Zorin OS 17
Saying menu is now faster by showing what we want to see. Among other things, it allows you to search for applications from the software center, times of different countries or it can even be used as a calculator. Now you can also adjust the search engine from the settings or by right-clicking on the menu. On the other hand, an "All applications" section has been added to see everything we have installed in alphabetical order. Organization that is not missing from a "computer."
With this type of devices we do more and more and no change is rejected to have the windows well organized. In this sense, Zorin OS 17 multitasking now has an improved activity view. They can now be arranged horizontally and can be accessed with three up or down gestures, which is in addition to the META key shortcut. Basically they are gestures on the touch panel, those that are so popular in GNOME 40+ or KDE in Wayland, among others.
Space desktop and performance improvements
And if a few days ago it was KDE that brought back the cube view, Zorin OS 17 is on another level, and I'm not just saying this. It is reminiscent of what we saw with Compiz Fusion, but adapted to new times. This is part of a function they call "Space Desktop", which has nothing to do with astronauts, but with the space in which the objects are located. It will be disabled by default and can be activated from the appearance settings section. Moving images can be viewed on this link.
Zorin OS 17 is faster than ever. Despite the new animations, performance has been improved, making it feel smoother on all types of hardware.
other developments
Among the rest of the new features, the following stand out:
- a software store redesign and advanced window stacking. Of course, the latter is reminiscent of Windows from which it wants to steal the spotlight.
- New quick settings menu from which you can change from light to dark theme with a single click or access others such as the energy profile or Bluetooth.
- Power profiles are new in Zorin OS 17, and allow you to switch between a performance-first profile, a middle ground, or a power saver. Since I have already tried these things, I can say that you can save a lot of battery with the low consumption mode, but the programs, depending on which one, can go in fits and starts, and if the performance profile is set the battery can plummet with Just have the browser running with some tabs open.
- New screenshot and recording experience. To improve the experience, the Zorin OS 17 tool has been redesigned, and now allows you to record video. The tool can be accessed with the key Print Screen.
- Parental controls.
- More stylized pop-ups.
- Remote desktop with RDP.
- Improved hardware support.
- New logo.
- Supported until 2027.
Interested users can now download Zorin OS 17 from your official download page.