Once upon a time, PCLinuxOS used to be one of my favorite candidates for permanent desktop use, but it was back in 2009, with a truly magnificent Gnome release. Such is the trouble with great success, sequels cannot match the original. In the three years since, my experience with the distro has steadily declined. But now, there's a fresh new release, and this means fresh new hope.

All right, I'd like to invite you to read my PCLinuxOS 2012.02 review, graced with a KDE desktop. On paper, it looks promising. But can it truly turn around the tide? Anyhow, I will be subjecting the distro to a pleasant torture session on my T60p box, 32-bit and whatnot, with all the usual stuff that we always check, from Wireless and Samba to apps, desktop effects, stability, and other crucial things. Follow me.