wilkes

RG, are you talking about the RAM or just the CPU usage?

Hubby likes Chrome, but we have never tried Opera. I use Mozilla Firefox. We both despise Internet Explorer. Sorry I can't help!

Here's several to try. None of them are as slow as IE. Opera, Bolt, Firefox, Chrome

The only continuing negative comment I've heard or read about Firefox is that there has been a "memory leak" in Firefox for a long time. What does that mean?

Open Firefox. Now open lots of tabs. Lots of them. Progressively your computer is using more memory, of course. Leave them open for a while. Now start closing tabs. Firefox doesn't free-up your memory once-again as you close tabs. The memory continues to be unavailable for other applications. Sometimes this memory isn't fully restored until you reboot.

Usually it isn't noticable, but it is in extreme cases. One of the reasons I prefer Opera.

I use Firefox

My only problem with it is that the applications are cloud based. If you don't have an internet connection, you don't have any functionality. I think Google is banking on a future where everybody has a continuous connection everywhere.
You know, I used Firefox for a long time and I switched to Chrome about six months ago. I love Firefox and I still use it from time to time, but my opinion is that Chrome works faster. Usually the difference wasn't noticeable, but on Facebook notices would pop up a minute or more faster on Chrome than on Firefox.

Yup. I'm not a fan of the Chrome browser, but I like to tinker with alternative operating systems. i'll probably eventually give it a spin on my netbook (the original EEEPC 701). It came with XP, but now is running Ubuntu Netbook Remix.

There is a Google Chrome OS, however. It's still in beta.

OS? To the best of my knowledge, there is no Opera OS.

When did Opera get to be an OS? I thought it was just a really decent browser with a small footprint , and a quick trace delete button.

Well a lot has to do with our internet provider, and the speed of the servers on the sites you're visiting.

I'll bet I could convince you in a couple of minutes that Opera is far faster than IE.

But browsers are free, don't take up much space on the hard drive, and don't interfere with other programs or one another. There's no reason not to have a few.

"User friendliness" is a personal thing. Nobody can argue that with you. You like it, or you don't. Use the one that you prefer!

Good luck.

I downloaded Firefox, Chrome, and Opera, and tried using them all for awhile. I ended up going back to IE, because it's just more user friendly, and I never saw a difference in speed with any of them.

I am on Opera now. I've been an Opera fan for a long time. Lots fo the new "innovations" that came to Firefox and Chrome, then finally to Internet Explorer like tabbed browsing have been in Opera for 15 years or more.

Opera always finishes at, or very near the top in browser speed-tests. And it is so very versatile.

Download it at http://www.opera.com

You'll, of course, need Internet Explorer too...because some sites just don't let you do everything on Opera. If you watch streaming movies on Netflix, for instance...that's kind of an IE-centric thing.

I use three different browsers. Opera for everyday browsing, IE for those things that just require it, and Firefox on my second monitor as a "media browser"...for doing things like streaming videos from NinjaVideo using my wireless mouse as a remote control (my "second monitor" is my TV).

Have fun!

On my old one - I had Word and Spreadsheet capabilities - I don't on this one :( and I really do use my spreadsheets :( :(

Go to filehippo - they are free on there - my computer met a certain death today when we too our son to the wilderness camp - I took it to play games while riding - since my husband drives me crazy when he drives :( I had it between my seat and door and when I tried to get out of the car - I slide off the seat and oppppsss :( the screen looks like someone splatter paint on it and I can't get it to work now - all my stuff if lost unless I can get it fixed - if I can get it fixed - then I can take this one back :) :) I just pray it can get fixed :)

Thanks...I might try them!!! IE is ok...that's what I'm used to...I don't care for Firefox...but I do have it now and use it when IE's traffic is heavy and slows down!

They are, Goddess and they are free.

I agree wwith computer geek, I use three different ones myself. Depends on what I'm wanting to do and which computer that I'm on.

Are Chrome and Opera available as downloads?

I wish I could get a new computer...this ole thing needs to be cleaned up and restored bad...really bad!

That is such good advice. I have tried three and use the one I like and use the most.