Why make this comparison? That's simple: I'm often asked which distribution is best suited for new users, and I always want to make sure I'm suggesting the right option. Because of that, I like to compare them -- such as when I compared Linux Mint to Zorin OS.

As I was testing Solus, it dawned on me that this Linux distribution could be easily recommended to those who've never used the open-source operating system. The more I dug in, the more I embraced that proposition.

But can it stand up to the mighty Zorin OS 18.1? That's a high bar -- let's see if Solus 4.9 can reach it.

Just like Zorin OS, Solus has everything you need to get started without installing a single piece of software. You've got Firefox, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, Rythmbox, Celluloid, gedit (text editor), and all the usual bits and pieces that make up a desktop operating system.