Well the problem when you sayed before is all "forks" - coming from debian and ubuntu.
Example if I buying newest PC with newest components.
The drivers don't exist in linux world.
Now the kernel coming 6.6 version.
The same what i sayed before amd,nvidia,intel they don't want fixed bugs or problems software harrdware.
They interesting selling the same things with diffrents specifications,name,numbers and price.
Here you have example a radio it changed before and now and where are diffrrents in sound?
The radio still have the same function menu only changed design.
This could help which one is more trust or products?
Well all that corporation selling our private data.
Isn't big elephant facebook was a movie about he selling our data and google what stealing patent sonos.
They are greed a money.
The procent issue is very low and don't have realistic.
The same like a distrowatch.
Security not exist this ages.
While there are bug fixes , performance improvements and efficiency improvements in the latest updates, you must keep the version of the OS in mind. Some of those improvements have not and will not be issued to focal (Ubuntu 20.04 LTS). This is because focal will reach end of life shortly (no longer updated except major security updates).
The latest drivers are mostly being written for jammy (Ubuntu 22.04 LTS). You will not be able to use them until Zorin 17, which will be based on Jammy.
If you attempt to add the libraries manually, you will either end up with Ubuntu 22 or cause an irreversible dependency conflict, causing your system not to boot.
I'm not saying keeping up with the drivers isn't a good thing (there's even tutorials on how to do this with nvidia drivers on this forum). But it matters what dependencies the drivers utilize, and what those drivers are being written to use.
There may be a few more driver updates that make it to the focal distros, but you will find that not all of the improvements, fixes and features will be ported to focal. It may not be possible with the versions of the libraries focal uses.
Updates to those libraries are what help in resolving some of the issues, while others are code refactors that eliminate bugs and possibly add improvements.
Until Zorin 17, we are almost at the limit of kernel updates (without changing library versions), so I would not hold a hope to include the latest Mesa drivers. Nvidia users are pretty much in the same boat.
This is why we get exasperated when users ask for the "latest and greatest", which may not be possible in the current build. What you want doesn't make it any more possible, without upgrading to the next base version of whatever OS you choose (Ubuntu 22, popOS 22, Mint 21/22/23 ...).
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Another big problem with Zorin using old Ubuntu LTS bases is that some packages that are critical to hardware support are not being updated.
For example: My new motherboard has a Realtek ALC4080 audio chip, for which microphones do not work at all unless the alsa-ucm-conf package is upgraded to at least version 1.2.9. But in the Ubuntu 20.04 repositories, only version 1.2.2 is available, which is over 3 years old by now (though Ubuntu patched in support for a select few newer audio chips since then).
Even if Zorin 17 moves to Ubuntu 22.04, alsa-ucm-conf will only be upgraded to version 1.2.6.3, which is almost 2 years old already, and thus still missing support for my motherboard and many others.
Only from Ubuntu 23.10 will a new enough version of alsa-ucm-conf be available. But I am assuming that Zorin 17 will not be based on a non-LTS version of Ubuntu, so I will likely have to wait until the release of Ubuntu 24.04 + the delay until the next version of Zorin after then, meaning sometime in 2025, before I can use a microphone with my new computer 
.
I am also starting to run into other problems that I also suspect are caused by the lack of package updates. For example, the latest version of Valve's Proton does not work in Zorin 16, but works fine in distros with newer packages.
So while I love almost everything about Zorin, the old package base is becoming a dealbreaker for me 
From everything that you say, it seems that the hardware you are describing is so very new, that only the very latest releases have any support at all.
I do not think that this really makes a strong argument against using a Long Term Support release that covers the vast majority of users.
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You can always use Zorin but a newer kernel, which should give you some more support, though may not update every library as you need. This is determined mostly by the distro version, not the kernel.
Zorin 17 with the kernel equivalent to Ubuntu 23 should resolve your issue.
When was 3 years Old, in a distro supported for five years? The point in LTS is to be stable, efficient and reliable. No one getting a new laptop/computer should expect all the hardware to work OOB unless it comes with the OS. Why? Because they have the direct connection with the manufacturer for drivers. Even Windows users will have issues unless they backed up the drivers or the manufacturer puts them online for download.
Ubuntu 23 is obtainable by updating the kernel to match or surpass the kernel, and the Ubuntu header I believe (correction, Ubuntu-HW, which is obviously a firmware update) , without converting Zorin into Ubuntu. Both mainly deal with hardware compatibility and interaction. There's more to it than that, but it's the easiest way to describe it.
Yeah, the motherboard is a somewhat new AM5 one from MSI, released about a year ago I believe. Support for it was added to the alsa-ucm-conf 1.2.9 release back on May 4th this year. Many other distros have shipped this version already (Fedora, Gentoo, Manjaro Stable, openSUSE Tumbleweed and Arch to mention some).
The system requirements page for Zorin only lists "minimum hardware specifications", and no maximum ones. It even says "Designed for modern computers", so I think it is fair enough to point out that the choice of old Ubuntu base is causing problems in this area. People buy new computers all the time, so I think it is very relevant for an operating system like Zorin to consider how to ensure that users are able to use Zorin on their new computers, instead of them having to switch to another OS because of lack of hardware support.
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Thanks for the suggestion, but the kernel is not the problem in this case. It is the alsa-ucm-conf package, which is hopelessly outdated in the Ubuntu 20.04 repositories, and even in the Ubuntu 22.04 ones, like I described above.
I am aware of the general issues with drivers related to Windows having a near monopoly on the desktop 
. In this case, however, the necessary hardware support has been made available upstream in the alsa-ucm-conf package almost half a year ago, but will most likely not be available in Zorin for several years more because of the strategy of using old Ubuntu LTS versions as the base system. This is the problem I am trying to highlight 
.
I think that this is a pretty reasonable statement.
It is a lot more feasible to list minimum requirements than to constantly update a list of maximum requirements, however. The Minimum is readily known, whereas the maximum brings about a heavy risk of the unknown. It could change at any time.
This makes setting maximum requirements as an unreasonable task - even if it is a completely reasonable expectation by the user.
New Hardware that is lacking in driver support is not very common.
Most manufacturers want their product to be successful and for it to work. Their goal is for it to be in as many machines as possible. So it is in their best interests to get their drivers distributed.
It is in Distros best interests to do the same.
If hardware is having a hard time being supported (Whether because it is new or because it is obstinate) usually comes down to factors of how that hardware is coded and programmed.
Alsa_ucm_conf...
I did some looking... Debian Bookworm offers version 1.2.8
Ubuntu 23.04 offers 1.2.6
Apparently... Version 1.2.9 is very new...
What a tricky spot to be in to have such a strict dependency requirement.
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All those distributions that you've mentioned are, broadly speaking, meant to be used with the latest possible versions of software and kernel updates. ZorinOS is simply not for you, and that's ok
LMDE arrives within weeks. LMDE 6 Beta is already out. I am guessing by 30 September or 1 October is when LMDE 6 Faye will be released.
The answear is simple not all linux distribution working on all hardware.
Why blame Zorin where Zorin OS 16, was released on August 17, 2021?
Example the same time release my gpu October 13th, 2021
It is impossible the same time exist a drivers.
Here are compatible linux distribution with my gpu.
We also know Zorin new version is always 2 years ago after new released version linux.
Besides isn't we have a webside https://linux-hardware.org/ ???
I know I am not a angle here , but sometimes when i reading some post like except a perfect perpetuum mobile.
Currently, we are in an unusual time: A transition between GTK3 and GTK4.
Let me make a statement:
GTK3 was released in 2011.
GTK4 was released in 2020.
Are these packages old? Outdated? Obsolete?
No. Because they are active and maintained. GTK3 lasted a 9 year cycle, with many improvements, additions, fixes and patches (that are still being administered, even.)
Zorin OS 17 will undoubtedly be using GTK4.
Zorin OS is built on the premise of helping users introduce themselves to GnuLinux and the best chance at success at that is to make it as stable as possible.
That everything just works - for the majority of users.
For a user with the newest hardware that needs newer drivers; they may have no choice but to use a different distro. But - they could still use Zorin Apps and Themes on that distro.
But now, they cannot - because the rolling releases are all on GTK4. Zorin Themes are still GTK3.
When Zorin OS 17 is released, then the Zorin Themes will include GTK4 (as well as GTK2 and GTK3). And then, users that like Zorins apps and appearance can use them on other distros, once again.
It is important to remember that these transitions cycle every several years or so. And they require patience.
Not very long ago, on Zorin OS 15 and on 16, no one was making these complaints. The hardware manufacturers had not gotten competitive in the wake of a Supply Chain disruption and GTK4 was still an unreleased twinkle in Gnome Devs eyes.
Today, there are these comments and complaints. Tomorrow, they will settle down as the newest hardware and newest software versions also settle in for the long run into the next cycle...
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I loaded Ubuntu-Desktop on Linux Mint Cinnamon (Ubuntu version) and loaded most of the same compatible extensions that are on Zorin and made a 22.04 LTS Zorin version of my own using Mint as the base. Seems to work just fine - for now anyway. It has the Mint software store with Flatpaks and seems to work well sans Snap packages. (I may install Snaps just to have ALL available software like on Zorin-proper.) It was not much work - about 15 minutes at most of tweaking. Anyway, just a thought for those that want a newer base if interested. It really does not matter since Zorin provides PPAs for some newer packages like LibreOffice. You can do the same exact thing with just regular Ubuntu but if you don't like Snaps, you have to remove them and then go through the hassle of installing Flatpaks. I just like having Mint's Cinnamon desktop along with the Zorin look too in one distribution. Almost nirvana. It's only been 1 day so lets see how it goes for the next several days.
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Yeah, I think you are right that I will have to go down that route. I'd rather stay on Zorin if I could, but it is what it is
Yeah, I agree that it is harder to specify maximum requirements.
However, Zorin has chosen a strategy where it knowingly will not provide updates to many packages for multiple years, until the next major version of Zorin has been released (and, in my unfortunate case, I have to wait until the next 2 major versions of Zorin have been released to get the update I need to make my microphone work!).
I think it would be good to communicate this general issue to users on that requirements page somehow. It doesn't have to list all unsupported hardware or anything, it should just communicate that support and bugfixes for some kinds of hardware have multi-year delays, so that users are aware of this consequence when choosing Zorin.
Of course operating systems cannot ship with drivers for hardware that do not exist at that time :).
Drivers and such for existing operating systems are usually made available around the time that new hardware is released. For Windows, often in downloadable form from a website, or via Windows Update. For Linux, usually via kernel and package updates.
This is an assumption, really. I can understand setting your expectations so as not to be disappointed... But I will fallback to the most common example used:
Zorin OS Lite 16 is based on Xubuntu 20.04. Xubuntu 20.04 uses XFCE 4.14. Zorin OS Lite 16 uses XFCE 4.16
Zorin OS 16 has been steadily using the same kernel as 22.04 (In general. 22.04 has now jumped ahead. But it is a higher version than 20.04 ever used).
ZorinGroup sets the base OS to build Zorin OS on. This does not mean that Zorin OS is a reskinned Ubuntu. It isn't.
The developers try to get Zorin OS to reasonably cover the broadest range of users.
This statement is not much different than what I pointed out above. Where do you draw the line? It doesn't matter where you draw it, someone will complain that their item was not included in the list. Eventually, the list must be one that includes all hardware and is updated by the hour.
As I said, what you are describing is not a common issue, at all.
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Much as I complained that Zorin probably isn't the best for Linux gaming. I still think it's probably the best distro for most people.
Just did a re-install and reminds me when I first installed it 2 years ago. Super easy install, looks polished, stable, everything just works. I know I'll be sticking with Zorin (gaming will be in Windows).
Looking forward to Zorin 17. I wouldn't mind paying abit more extra on top of the Pro price for early access.
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When ZorinOS 16 got a kernel update there were many who thought that version 17 was released, or that it was reworked to use Ubuntu 22.04 as its base. Plenty of news articles were written and videos uploaded to Youtube. As a result, many threads were opened here in this forum with problems caused due to this exact reason.
So, even people who do this as a full- or part-time hobby/job i.e., for money, got it wrong. Now imagine having to maintain such a list. It would be huge and constantly being updated. It would be very easy for people to be mislead due to outdated blog posts or videos or cached search results or links to old threads, etc. Not to mention the time it would take just to maintain this list...
It's just not feasible. The best way to test the hardware is to run Linux from a live USB, without installing or comiting to anything.
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