[Tech] Linux Mint vs Zorin OS, My Choice is...

09/11/2025, 15:12

Contents

The end of support for Windows 10 gives an excellent opportunity for the Linux community to attract older computer users to try Linux.

But here’s the thing, Linux is not a single operating system. Linux itself is a kernel name. So if you said ‘Oh man I am definitely gonna try Linux’ is like saying ‘Oh man I am definitely gonna try Darwin (kernel name of macOS) or Windows NT this time’. And we all know nobody says in that way.

Yeah, I know, I know, I know when we talk about someone trying Linux means they are trying a distribution of Linux, not a kernel itself. But let’s be honest, if you are saying like ‘You should try Linux instead of buying a new computer!’ Then those computer noobs will Google or ChatGPT ‘Linux’ and end up with Distrowatch or something, an ultimate Linux distro website with a very old-fashioned design, and they are gonna be like what the heck is this? Now they will Google again, but this time, it’s Microsoft Surface, or Mac, or maybe ‘Computer’ on Amazon or whatever.

So I personally think we should be clear about that distro thing. Obviously, no doubt the variety of Linux distributions is what makes Linux versatile, rich, and diverse, appealing, but also makes someone who only knows how to open Chrome and watch YouTube hard to start the journey of a free open-source operating system.

If you are a man or woman who is trying to choose a friendly OS for someone who is completely out of touch with computers but wants them to use Linux, there are two options that you might already know and have already considered: Linux Mint and Zorin OS. And yes, we are gonna talk about those two.

Background

So I have a very old, Intel i3 3rd generation processor, 8GB RAM, 250GB SSD desktop, which is obviously not compatible with the Windows 11, but still this thing is still good enough to do some basic tasks like web browsing or word processing etc. And there is no doubt this could be used for those even after Microsoft ended the support for Windows 10, which is the last version that supports this machine.

This computer is not only for me, but for all family members. It’s a family computer. Sure, if I am the only user then I would just go with openSUSE Tumbleweed or Fedora or whatever but our family members cannot use zypper besides the real zipper on their clothes.

So, I need a newbie friendly Linux distro, and there are two major options as I just mentioned. Linux mint, and Zorin OS

🟦 Zorin OS

Zorin OS 18

Let’s start with Zorin OS because this is the first OS that I tried on my i3 computer. I chose it over Linux Mint first because I found Zorin OS is absolutely beautiful.

I've always loved the aesthetics of the polished vibe of GNOME, and Zorin OS absolutely nailed at polishing the already polished GNOME.

I have no doubt that Zorin OS is a perfect distro to be labeled as a beginner-friendly Linux. It is very similar to the design and the interface of Windows, which is a go-to OS for a lot of people, so switching is easier. And the overall aesthetic is, in my opinion, on par with those commercial OS like Windows or macOS, seriously, besides the logo, (I think it could be better than the current one…)

Obviously, it’s up to you to decide whether Zorin OS is indeed a beautiful OS like I just claimed, but even if you choose to disagree with me, it is no doubt that this OS is still objectively easier than the other Linux distros.

🟩 Linux Mint

Linux Mint 22

Linux Mint has a long reputation for being a solid beginner friendly distribution in the world of Linux. It uses Cinnamon as its primary desktop environment (aka DE), not GNOME. You can choose MATE as your DE too.

Mint developers recommend Cinnamon, and it is indeed a solid, mature, and still elegant DE. I personally thought it would be like a 90s design with flat icons, but turns out, those screenshots were wrong. In real life, the desktop was beautiful, and I understand why Linux Mint has been one of the most go-to distros, not just for the Linux newbie but also for the Linux enthusiasts.

Again, design is a purely personal thing, and you might disagree with me about the opinion of the design of Linux Mint, but still, just like Zorin OS, it is no doubt that Mint is objectively easier than the other Linux distros.

My Choice

Actually, neither! I actually ended up with openSUSE Tumbleweed 😂 Sorry, but I wanted KDE so badly at that time.

But if I have to choose between those two distros, I would probably go with Zorin OS because, as a design enthusiast or whatever I am, although Linux Mint has also a solid, polished look, Zorin OS has no doubt the most elegant version of GNOME, consistent typography, and colour scheme. Everything looks polished, so all Windows users can be satisfied with it.

The choice is yours. Both are solid options, and most importantly, Choosing both or any other distro is a way better option than retaining Windows 10 without security updates. Visit End of 10 for more information.