I have heard of Cinnamon.
As I am 100% new to Linux, I want to keep to Ubuntu based distros until everything is more familiar to me.
A new fresh install of Zorin, along with full reports of any issues with Libre, seems to be the way to go for the moment.
Like I said, Zorin promotes this Libre capability as a positive attraction.
At the moment I am using 2 OS's, PCLinuxOS KDE that comes with LibreOffice 24.2 and is rpm based and Q4OS KDE which uses Debian Bookworm as it's base. The only KDE distro I have been abld to install on a machine I built in 2006 with a single core Athlon 64 processor, 2 Gb RAM (max it can take), and an EVGA 512 Mb AGP 8x silent cooling video card!
No, there is still ... not less preinstalled. And they don't have a Minimal Install Option like Ubuntu directly offer that. I like to have an Option like this, too.
To @SBZorin2:
I can understand that. There would be Pop OS! It is Ubuntu LTS based and use in the Version 22 a gnome-based Desktop but customized. But with the coming Version 24 (which still is based on Ubuntu LTS but in Version 24.04) they change to an own developed Desktop called Cosmic Desktop. It looks in kind of Way similar to Gnome but is an own Desktop.
If You want to try KDE Plasma there would be KDE Neon. The KDE Team take an Ubuntu LTS Base and deliver her up-to-date KDE Plasma Desktop. So, the Base ist LTS but the Desktop Environment gets Updates to newer Versions - like on Linux Mint.
Or You can go one Step back to Debian. Ubuntu is based on Debian and is an LTS Distro Concept in the stable Version, too. Another Possibility is to use a Debian-based Distro. There would be LMDE (Linux Mint Debian Edition). That is the known Linux Mint but insteaed of an Ubuntu Base it comes with a Debian Base. MX Linux would be worth a Look, too. And SpiralLinux is a nice Spin of Debian. It takes Debian and configures it for a smoother and better User Experience. It ried the Gnoem version in the Past and the preinstalled Software was for me way better chosen that on Debian directly.
What is KDE ?
KDE/Plasma is another Desktop environment based on QT. A lot of good apps are based on QT. Like Kdenlive, Audacious, VLC and I think OBS is also QT.
Thank you.
And what is QT ?
KDE is the Team that develops the KDE Plasma Desktop Environment and Programs.
QT is the Framwork for the Programs. On Gnome You have instead GTK. That makes that the Program looks fitting to the Style of the Desktop Environment.
And Qt is pronounced "cute"! LXQt is another lightweight DE (Desktop Environment) which uses the same libraries as KDE (Kool Desktop Environment). I prefer Plasma 5.27 to 6 as you can't use Windows 10 style menu in 6. I find Plasma is more configurable than Gnome, and offers a better transition for Windows users, in particular the system tray layout.
You can see my PCLinuxOS KDE here:
The only issue I had with PCLinuxOS was when I installed the Win10 style menu, the LibreOffice Writer and Calc icons were not showing correctly (No text) so deleted and went to main menu items then selected "Add to menu" (tiled section).
My Q4OS desktop, also Plasma 5.27:
I have just gone back to Ubuntu.
My GPU works just fine, and so does Libre.
In the future I may branch out into other distros, but to get to know stuff I will stay with Ubuntu just now.
Zorin touts itself as being a stepping stone from Microsoft to Linux.
For that to be true, everything should work out of the box, and it does not.
With Ubuntu, it does.
Look at the variety of terms used in the posts above !!
This sort of learning curve is far too much for a newcomer to Linux.
Way too much knowledge and info required, just to get up and running.
The "Support" that comes with the payment for the Pro version, is questionable.
In truth, I think that Zorin owes me a refund.
Not yet decided if I will request this, or perhaps place my experience on my social media.
My preference is for pure systemd free distros which is why I use PCLinuxOS, as it has no remnants of systemd such as elogind. This is a 'political' decision, as is my preference for ALSA over PulseAudio and Pipewire and X11/Xorg over Wayland.
They offer a free version you can try first on a live USB or install first to make sure it works and then upgrade to Pro if you want. Given that Zorin is developed by two brothers with support by the community and volunteers, it seems you are being shortsighted about what Linux and Open Source is all about. The fee you pay for Pro is to support the team continue developing it into the future. Did you understand what Linux and Open Source is all about before buying? Ubuntu’s recent release has newer drivers and a newer kernel that a company, Canonical, contributes to and develops. Zorin, as a community distribution, lags behind Ubuntu and might have difficulties with newer hardware sometimes. Best of luck with Ubuntu which is a solid distribution.
Have you tried disabling hardware acceleration in libre office?
My machine has integrated and dedicated video (NVIDIA). When I enter in Chrome/Brave using the NVIDIA GPU, the browser lags. Disabling hardware acceleration resolves this.
I don't use Libreoffice for testing. I already uninstalled it.
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