The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →KDE Gear 24.12 is a coordinated update to KDE applications, announced on December 12, 2024. Its most noticeable changes target everyday tasks: Dolphin improves accessibility and file handling, Okular refines forms and signing, Itinerary expands travel planning, and communication apps add safety controls. It is a release announcement for December 2024, not a statement of the newest KDE Gear version available today.
KDE describes Gear as a coordinated release of application versions every four months. The 24.12 announcement highlights selected changes across the collection rather than documenting every change; KDE links to the full KDE Gear 24.12 announcement and changelog.
File management and accessibility: Dolphin
Dolphin’s main view was overhauled to work with screen readers, and keyboard navigation was improved. File handling changes include more natural filename sorting, sorting by video duration, and a redesigned checksum and permissions area in the Properties dialog.
Dolphin also gained a mobile-optimized interface for Plasma Mobile. KDE noted that more work was still needed to bring it in line with typical mobile-app expectations, so this was an initial step rather than a claim of a finished mobile experience.
#1 Best Overall
- BOOTABLE LINUX INSTALLER: Includes one USB flash drive containing the Debian 13.6 KDE Plasma 64-bit installer for installation or evaluation on compatible computers
- KDE PLASMA DESKTOP: Provides a modern and highly customizable desktop with flexible panels, menus, and appearance settings
- DEBIAN STABLE SERIES: Prepared with Debian 13.6 Trixie, the current stable Debian release for compatible 64-bit PC hardware
- 64-BIT HARDWARE SUPPORT: Intended for compatible Intel and AMD desktop and laptop computers that support startup from a USB device
- INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED: Initial installation guidance is provided; verify compatibility and back up important files before installation
Documents and signatures: Okular, Kleopatra, and Merkuro
Okular
Okular handles a range of document types and supports signature verification and signing, annotations, and embedded forms. In 24.12, PDF form comboboxes support more types of items, printing is faster and more correct, and the signing window remains open until the signing operation finishes.
Kleopatra and Merkuro Contact
Kleopatra’s notepad and signing-and-encryption dialog were redesigned, with clearer messages and errors. Merkuro Contact now displays a contact’s OpenPGP and S/MIME certificates and can open Kleopatra to show more information.
Rank #2
- 1. 9-in-1 Linux:32GB Bootable Linux USB Flash Drive for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Linux Mint cinnamon 22, MX Linux xfce 23, Elementary OS 8.0, Linux Lite xfce 7.0, Manjaro kde 24(Replaced by Fedora Workstation 43), Peppermint Debian 32bit (being replaced by MX Linux 32bit) for older PC, Pop OS 22, Zorin OS core xfce 17. The versions you received might be latest than above as we update them to latest/LTS when we think necessary.
- 2. Try or install:Before installing on your PC, you can try them one by one without touching your hard disks.
- 3. Easy to use: These distros are easy to use and built with beginners in mind. Most of them Come with a wide range of pre-bundled software that includes office productivity suite, Web browser, instant messaging, image editing, multimedia, and email. Ensure transition to Linux World without regrets for Windows users.
- 4. Support: Printed user guide on how to boot up and try or install Linux; please contact us for help if you have an issue. Please press "Enter" a couple of times if you see a black screen after selecting a Linux.
- 5. Compatibility: Except for MACs,Chromebooks and ARM-based devices, works with any brand's laptop and desktop PC, legacy BIOS or UEFI booting, Requires enabling USB boot in BIOS/UEFI configuration and disabling Secure Boot is necessary for UEFI boot mode. Packing: The bootable USB drive comes in a colored PET/CPP zipper bag with instructions on how to get started. The box pictured is not included.
Media and development workflows
Kdenlive and Kwave
Kdenlive can resize multiple timeline items at the same time, a useful change when adjusting several clips together. Kwave was ported to Qt 6, which KDE says lets it work natively with Plasma 6. Its interface also gained updated icons and a clearer indication when playback is paused.
Kate
KDE says Kate starts faster in this release. Other highlighted additions and improvements include project-tree Git status, restored session tabs, easier access to language-server settings, code-formatting tooltips, Windows plugin support, Flutter debugging support, Quick Open, and reopening recently closed documents.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRank #3
- 🟣 Nobara Linux 43 – Performance-Focused Release Includes Nobara Linux 43, a Fedora-based distribution optimized for gaming, streaming, and content creation.
- 🟣 Preconfigured for Gaming & Media Ships with performance tweaks, multimedia codecs, drivers, and patches pre-applied to reduce setup time.
- 🟣 Bootable & Easy to Use Fully bootable USB flash drive with Live Mode and installer. No manual ISO download or flashing required.
- 🟣 Wide Hardware Compatibility Supports modern PCs and laptops with UEFI and Legacy BIOS, including AMD and Intel systems.
- 🟣 Ideal for Gamers & Creators Designed for users who want a smooth out-of-the-box Linux experience for gaming, recording, editing, and daily use.
Travel planning: Itinerary
Itinerary groups tickets and hotel reservations into trips, with a separate timeline for each trip. It can suggest a trip when a ticket is imported and show details such as distance, costs when available, and CO₂ emissions.
Version 24.12 adds support for services and formats including GoOut, Leo Express, VietJet Air, Google Maps links, and Thai state railway tickets, among others listed in KDE’s announcement. These integrations can make imported travel information more useful, but the specific sources supported depend on what a traveler uses.
Rank #4
- Live Boot: Simply plug the USB drive into your computer, select the USB drive as your boot device, and experience Linux Mint without installation. This allows you to test the OS and its features before making any changes to your system.
- Install Option: Once you've tested and decided to keep Linux Mint, you can easily install it on your computer directly from the USB drive.
- Pre-installed software like LibreOffice for office tasks, a capable web browser (Firefox), email client (Thunderbird), and multimedia tools. This minimizes the need for additional downloads, saving you time and effort.
- Resource Efficiency: Designed to run efficiently on a variety of hardware configurations. It demands fewer system resources compared to some other operating systems, making it an excellent choice for older computers or devices with limited hardware specifications.
- Compatible with PC/Laptop/Desktop brands - Dell, HP, Sony, Lenovo, Samsung, Acer, Toshiba & more. Minimum system requirements 4 GB RAM Dual-Core Processor (2 GHz) 20 GB of free disk space
Communication and safety
KDE Connect
KDE Connect adds working Bluetooth support, separates connected devices from remembered devices, and adds filtering and icons to its plugin list. KDE’s announcement reports that startup on macOS fell from 3 seconds to 100 milliseconds; that is KDE’s reported figure, not an independently verified benchmark.
Tokodon and NeoChat
Tokodon makes first use easier by fetching public servers. It adds controls for removing followers and a safety settings page for muted and blocked users, and expands support for other Fediverse server implementations.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Best Value
- Fedora Linux 43 Latest Bootable USB Flash Drive – 64-Bit Live Installer | Plug & Play | Fast, Secure, and Modern Linux Operating System for PC and Laptop
- 🔥 Latest Fedora Linux 43 Release: Enjoy the newest and most advanced version of Fedora Linux, built for speed, performance, and reliability — powered by cutting-edge open-source technology.
- 💻 Plug & Play Installation: Boot directly from the included USB drive — no setup or downloads required. Try Fedora live or install it permanently on your system with ease.
- 🔒 Secure & Trusted Build: Professionally prepared using the official Fedora 43 ISO, verified and tested to ensure authenticity, security, and stability.
- ⚙️ Ideal for Developers & Power Users: Fedora 43 includes the latest software packages, GNOME desktop, and developer tools — perfect for programming, testing, or daily computing.
NeoChat adds options to block images and videos by default, provides a support message for certain searches handled under a Matrix specification, and improves security settings along with several interface details.
Other applications in the release
KDE’s announcement also mentions updates to Francis, Konqueror, Elisa, Falkon, Alligator, and Telly Skout. It does not detail those changes in the same depth as the featured apps, so consult the linked announcement for the individual changelog entries.
How to get KDE Gear 24.12
At announcement time, KDE said the apps would also become available through Flathub and Snapcraft, and directed users to a package-download page. It cautioned that packages might not yet be available on every distribution. The complete KDE Gear 24.12.0 source code was offered as a free download, with compilation and installation instructions linked from the announcement.
Those availability notes describe the rollout in December 2024, not current package status. To install a particular app today, check your distribution’s software sources or the relevant app store for the version currently offered; do not assume every distribution still provides 24.12.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
