Vim (Vi improved) is still a thing for terminal junkies, however that is just one of the options available.  Most "modern" Linux desktops have a simple GUI/visual application alternative available (Mousepad, Leafpad and many others).  Using the terminal/console is entirely optional nowadays, it is the one thing that unifies all desktop environments!

One desktop environment might've a different application to install new apps, but all Ubuntu derivatives have the same console commands to achieve that.  That's why solutions focus on the terminal, but again that's completely optional nowadays.

I've heard positive feedback from someone I've converted to Zorin OS, but I'd definitely look at different versions.