Zorin 17 Kernel question

Hello Zoriners,
I've heard claims that Zorin OS 17's kernel is "behind by 2 degrees," suggesting it is based on Ubuntu 22.04, while Linux Mint 22 uses Ubuntu 24.04 as its base. However, when I checked the kernel version on Zorin 17 using uname -a, it showed 6.8.0-45-generic, which is the same kernel version as Linux Mint 22 and Ubuntu 24.04. Could you provide more technical details to clarify whether Zorin 17 is truly behind in terms of kernel versions and its relationship to Ubuntu's development cycle?

Zorin OS 17 uses Ubuntu 22.04 as its base. However, the kernel being used matches that of Ubuntu 24.04. So you can benefit from more recent drivers for compatibility with newer hardware, for instance. However, packages available for download and pre-installed libraries (like Gnome) match those of 22.04.

You can read more about this in the release announcement for 17.2, more specifically this is where this is mentioned.

Zorin OS 17.2 is now powered by the same version of the Linux kernel as in the latest Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. It comes with updated drivers, bringing even better support for a wider range of hardware, such as:

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That's good but why applications will receive older updates? for instance, I installed Gnome on top of Linux Mint 22 and the latest version I'm showing is 46 however, on Zorin 17 the latest version I'm getting is 42, and this is applied to all other apps. Why is that?

Linux Mint 22 is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. And in the Ubuntu 24 Repos are Gnome 46.

Zorin 17 is based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. And that has only Gnome 42 in the Repos. Here had the Zorin Team set Gnome 43 on top of the System.

The Repos for Ubuntu 22 and 24 having a different Software Stand because that are different Versions and have different Repos. The Thing with the Kernel is, that Ubuntu took them from the newer Version (Ubuntu 24) and put it in the older Version (Ubuntu 22). And that is the Reason why we have this Kernel, too.

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So basically I need to wait another 2 years to get Gnome 46 and every other app updated?

How does Zorin 17 beats up Linux mint?

2 Years maybe not. But maybe until the 3rd or 4th Quarter of the nex Year I guess. Then should Zorin 18 come. And Zorin 18 should have Ubuntu 24 LTS as a Base and then Gnome 46. Or the Zorin Crew decides to use a newer Gnome Version for Zorin 18 like they did on Zorin 17. Because on Zorin 17 the Zorin Desktop uses Gnome 43 as Base and not Gnome 42 from Ubuntu.

That is the Thing with LTS Distros: The Packages are older. But thererfore the System is stable. That is the Focus on a LTS Distro. And that is the Reason why (mostly) only Security und Bug Fixes come and no newer Versions with new Features and Functions.

And there is one Thing for this, too: The Zorin Crew is way smaller than the Linux Mint Crew. And develop this whole Stuff takes Time.

If You use Zorin or Linux Mint is a personal Preference I think. I used both and find both Systems good. But at the End I'm not a great Fan of the Cinnamon Desktop. The Desktop is okay, no doubt. But I didn't liked the Menu Structure and the overall Design of it. The next One says that he or she likes the Cinnamon Desktop - and that is totally fine. A Point on Linux Mint is the up-to-date Desktop because the Linux Mint Developers are the Developers of the Cinnamon Desktop. And so they can bring newer Versions in there System. That is a major Difference between the concept of Zorin and Mint.

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I have installed Gnome on top of Linux Mint and it seems to be working smoothly, no issues at all and i got my free Dash to Dock without paying for it as in Zorin Pro.

Anyway, everyone has the right to choose what fits to their eyes, I just wished if Zorin opted for the latest version of apps and software instead of doing the update slowly over the months and years.

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Where Zorin OS "beats" just about every single other distribution that I've ever tried is in terms of user friendliness. Aesthetically, too; a factor that is largely underestimated.

In my experience, people are very pleased when they try Linux for the first time, thinking it's something that requires a degree to use, and instead see a system that is very familiar to them.

The "packages are old" argument comes up quite a bit because of the base being used. However, the reality is that most people don't need the latest versions anyway; most can't even tell that they don't have it. This isn't to say that a faster development pace of Zorin OS wouldn't be beneficial, but that's not the point.

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You don't have to pay for Zorin Pro to get the Dock. You can use Zorin Core and install Dash To Dock like on Linux Mint with Gnome, too.

Well, that is the concept of a LTS Distro. Linux Mint do the same - except the Cinnamon Desktop because they develop them. The Base is LTS, too. So, all what comes from there will be old, too. It might be newer now because the LTS Base (Ubuntu 24) is released fresh. But wait a bit and it is old, too.