I'm thinking about buying Zorin OS Pro. Heres some questions I have about it:
Will upgrading from the app erase my data?
If Zorin 17.3 or 18 comes out, can I still maintain my Pro installation with those versions?
Are the apps good? I saw the app list on how cheap Zorin OS Pro is compared to stuff like Office 365. I wanna know if the stuff I'm getting like Libreoffice is very user friendly and reliable (wont crash before save, etc.)
Can I use it on more than one device? I wanna give a copy of it to my sister.
No, upgrading to Pro preserves your data and saved files Unless you perform a fresh installation of Pro.
Zorin 17.3 is a point release so Yes.
Zorin 18 will be the next full release, so, No. Each copy of Pro is per full release.
Yes, you can use Pro on up to five computers in your home. Business users must apply for additional licenses for Pro use on more than five or professional business services through the ZorinGroup.
-Chuckle- this invites opinion pieces. I will let others voice their thoughts on what they think of apps like LibreOffice.
Varies, but many are quite good, yes. They will tend to be somewhat less polished than Microsoft applications though. Somewhere around here is a fairly massive thread debating the best office software available for Linux.
Programs like LibreOffice are developed by third party developers, The Document Foundation in this case, and so upgrading to Pro will not change the quality of it.
What Zorin OS Pro provides is few additional layouts, wallpapers, official installation support and some more pre-installed software (with an option to go for a minimal installation). It's a way of saying "Thanks" to support the developers.
If you need compatibility with Microsoft Office Documents, the only Office Suite that matches MS formatted files is SoftMaker Office, a paid for solution. They do offer FreeOffice which is a trimmed down version. I have tried to migrate to LibreOffice but I found it difficult to use, especially during one release where they had like a dual option of traditional menu and a ribbon menu. SoftMaker Office has come a long way since my first purchase back in November 2019, it's latest Pro release of 2024 even has QR and barcode generator and compression of images within documents to prevent oversized storage of documents. You can even change to a traditional look (what I would call and MS Office 2003 layout. If you are a heavy spreadsheet user, then only MS Excel has everything ... because it is copyrighted.
If I were in your place, I'd install those software first to see how they work on your system or how you like them. The Pro is for more 'convenience' with some added desktop layouts (and supporting the product), so I wouldn't upgrade just for any of the software that's included in Pro.
As people have said, pro is just a convenience and a way to thank the developers. If you get pro now, you'll have the pro apps installed, and be able to update them normally when 18 comes out, even though your license will still be for 17 Pro. This isn't like Windows where the next version comes out and you get none of its stuff. You'll be able to upgrade to 18. You'd just have to manually install any new apps 18 might have put into pro.
Edit: If 18 has new appearances or wallpapers or something, I suppose you might miss out on those, too, but I can't imagine any functional components would be gated.
LibreOffice is fine for light use. Its compatibility with MS Office is likewise good enough in most circumstances. I can't use it for my work, but that's more to do with availability of plugins rather than feature sets. For personal stuff, it's just ... fine.
Hummm, after Zorin's response to the Mozilla / Firefox fracas, contacting them and seriously considering dropping them as the Zorin_OS default browser, I thought that maybe I'd jump and buy Zorin_OS Pro right now to show my support, but then I read that I'll lose it when Zorin_OS 18 is launched. Meh!
Guess I'll just have to wait (which suits my budget too).
Each edition of Pro is a separate purchase. For example Zorin 15, 16, 17, 18.
If we think of Zorin Pro as a Product, it has a finite lifespan.
If we think of Zorin Pro as a Donation to support, the does not have a finite lifespan.
How a user chooses to view it is up to each user. Both are valid.
I've wanted to support Zorin for a while now. I will absolutely "go Zorin Pro" this year. To say more would be over-sharing, boring and irrelevant. I keep typing and deleting... ... ....
... and time, which I'm also short of, but I don't begrudge one bit. I'm also a vocal advocate for Linux in general, and Zorin_OS in particular. I try to at least spark some interest in making the switch to Linux, and suggest Zorin over Mint, because I genuinely believe it's a better option for your average Joe.
What is really holding me back (from buying Pro) is a lack of funds. I have a daily commute of about 110 miles, and I've got a "slow puncture" in a rear tyre, which I have to check daily so my car is safe to drive, especially in the rain (they're well within the legal tread-depth at the moment). I'm trying to hold off buying a new pair until next month, when the car might also be ready for some new break pads. I prefer to save up the money, rather than getting into debt; it's a careful balancing act.
I will "go Pro" and I would have already, if it wasn't for all that....
Have you checked tyre for nail or screw in the tread?
If tyre is otherwise good, a simple puncture repair should not cost much. A lot less money than a new tyre, or pair of tyres.
I was going to suggest the same as zaba'.
110 miles is a long way to go on sketchy tyres.
I don't know about your neck of the woods.
But some tyre guys do a puncture repair for free.
It's worth asking whoever you are thinking of buying the new tyres from if they would repair the puncture to get you through until you can buy new tyres from them.
As a side note. I tried Mint. And I really don't see what all of the fuss is about.
The look and feel of it is no where near the fit and polish of ZorinOS.
Yes, it was the first thing I did because it's happened to me twice before, and you're right, fixing a puncture doesn't cost much... it does cost me time that I don't have.
I've resorted to using one of those "spare tyre in a can" things - I've had success before with my mountain bike, so I have hope. I'll know if it's worked tomorrow.
@GrungeLover, both Zab and you make good points, but my situation is probably unique, and I really don't want to have to lay it all out here in public. I really DO appreciate both of you giving me sensible advice, so thanks both of you.
Pro is good, cause you get extra goodies in it, and you support the devs.
Regarding the puncture in the "tire," you can get a tire repair kit, ream the hole, glue up the plug, then push it in. And that should seal it up till you can get a new tire. Fix A Flat in a can does work, if the hole is tiny enough, but it won't last as long as a plug. Also, tire shops hate dealing with the mess of the can stuff, or the slime stuff, don't be surprised if you overhear a swear word or two lol.
