I've been experimenting with different Linux distros and my old laptop is running Fedora 42 Plazma but an article suggested that Zorin would offer better performance. Does the pro lite version offer the same stuff as pro? Is the Pro Lite version going to be supported long term or is it being phased out? I would like to have the pro version for the Windows 11 interface but I'm concerned about performance on old hardware and if still available I would prefer the lighter pro version but I don't want to waste my money on Pro Lite is going to be orphaned. Can someone provide me with some sound advice as I'm just trying to squeeze a bit of life out of this old laptop.
Zorin OS Pro Lite is not orphaned nor being unmaintained.
It is still fully supported in Zorin OS 17 and will be in the upcoming Zorin OS 18.
However, for Zorin OS 19, the ZorinGroups current plan is to no longer offer Zorin OS Lite and Pro Lite on Zorin 19 and beyond.
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If you wait a for Zorin OS 18 you'll get a few more more years out of your laptop. Afterwards you'll probably have to install a different distribution, but that decision you would have to make nonetheless because the Pro license is only valid for each major release (Zorin OS 17, 18, 19, etc.)
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If you want a lightweight distribution, take a look at PCLOS Debian xfce:
Or if you want a lower kernel and an OS with a look switcher (I have this installed on a machine built in 2006, Single Athlon 64, 2 Gb RAM max, EVGA 512 Mb fanless AGP 8x:
It is a rolling release up to 2028, at which point you would need to make a fresh install
The Pro License being tied to a release was very helpful and important to know. Thanks!
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That's why they choose to go with the LTS versions of Ubuntu, so that the one time payment for Pro is valid till 5 years and more of software support
Yep, Zorin OS Pro, is a 5 year license, you get 5 years of support from devs, as well as security updates with the LTS release. You also get extra goodies with PRO, & you support the dev's is the big thing.
Zorin dev's have always provided a light version of their OS for years, but yep, the upcoming OS 18, will be the last time they include light. Starting with OS 19, they will only provide the PRO Gnome version, CORE, & Education.
