It's funny. For my PC, I like newer capabilities more quickly. So I don't personally use Zorin. But here's a thing. My daughter uses a drawing tablet. It wasn't working on Zorin 17, Wayland or X. Perhaps a kernel update eventually came along and all of a sudden it was working (Wayland and X). Then 18 landed and it stopped working on Wayland, but did work on X.
Two things about the story, one positive, one not:
Why did the upgrade from 17 to 18 remove the drivers for the tablet? I don't think this is a good thing. It also not only removed her backup software ppa (expected) but also removed the software! Is this normal for Linux major upgrades to do this?
Gnome 50 removes X. This makes her glad Zorin updates move at a glacial pace. She's hopeful that by the time 50 lands in Zorin, her tablet will work on Wayland again. So in this instance she's grateful for Zorin's slow update cycle.
Gnome 50 will also severely restrict .css applicability in Gnome - so kiss all third party themes goodbye. You better Love Adwaita - or go walk off a short pier.
When I first migrated from Windows OS to Zorin OS; it was a struggle.
It seemed like I had to Fight Against the system on Zorin OS in order to do what I wanted and fit my workflow; as much as Windows OS.
Then, I switched from Zorin Core to Zorin Lite - and all that struggle went away.
I was able to easily do what I wanted without the system fighting me. Yes, I needed to learn code. Yes, I needed to adapt to a learning curve. But without resistance.
Now... Gnome has taken over - GTK4 and soon... GTK5; LibAdwaita - Other Desktops are not isolated from Gnomes Domineering control.
Now, I am on Zorin OS 18 with XFCE installed and I am back to fighting the system to do what I want and fit my workflow.
Wayland being shoved on us Unready.
Flatpak being made default. Adopting Gnome as the only Desktop for Zorin OS.
To me, it feels like the ZorinGroup is fully on board with asserting control over the users and behaving with corporate interests like Microsoft, not the End User interests.
As an aside, Zorin XFCE is SO GOOD in a VM. Superb performance and appearance.
It would be amazing if someone kept it going, i felt it was the most pleasant XFCE experience i've had, and i've tried a few. My laptop is always old, my current one is a 1st gen i5. Old. I didn't install Zorin Lite because i knew it was going away.
user base i hear is hugely weighted towards core/pro
only two devs. Simply not the time, especially with Gnome's design principles that i presume requires considerable Zorin-specific development and integration testing.
I feel that most users have more modern hardware that doesn't struggle with Gnome. Most people who use XFCE do so because of hardware constraints than pure preference for it (my guess, not backed by data)
I remember an old interview Mike Tunnel (This Week in Linux, YouTube) had with a Zorin and asked why they didn't use Plasma instead of Gnome and an answer was given. I don't really recall it, or if it was a good answer
"GNOME 50 ("Tokyo"), released in March 2026, marks the finalization of GNOME’s transition toward a highly curated, Wayland-native, andOpinionated design. While not designed to be malicious, its strict adherence to a "one true workflow" vision—combined with the complete removal of X11 and focus on sandboxed apps—will feel, to a traditionalist, like having to assimilate into a rigid, unified, and uncompromising system."
Well...
I am on Zorin OS 18, now. Stable, no breaks or pains.
I have stripped it entirely of LibAdwaita.
No Wayland. No Flatpaks, No Snaps. No Gnome.
I mean... I have mine for a while and the more I learn - the more I can keep mine going for a long time.
If I need to fork a package in future and adapt it to me, then I can do that, too.
And I won't share it. I won't distribute it. It will be all mine, selfish and mean.
I will just kick back, hugging myself with a big smile while all the GnuLinux users that rolled over when they should have shouted - Accept Their Rewards.
In my opinion GNOME has so many problems with wayland, there are some issues from 5 years ago and they are not fixed yet. Other DE's don't have the same problems as GNOME on wayland. I don't think GNOME devs would fix those issues soon so I'm also afraid about Zorin on GNOME 50.
That's a grossly exaggerated response on my part to what you said. Ha. But ... the funny thing is, I actually did think briefly about going back to Zorin 17.3 Pro because it works (and it's supported until next year still - why not get my money's worth?). I might (MIGHT!) try Zorin 18 Core again before (gasp) buying Pro only if it's truly improved to the point where it's usable. Your thoughts? (Thanks.)
