ZDNET names six browsers that can speed up older, sluggish PCs

ZDNET highlights six web browsers that can improve performance on older or slow PCs and on limited network connections. The article suggests lightweight or resource-managing browsers can help machines and networks that lag compared with modern hardware and broadband. Microsoft Edge is noted for efficient memory use (about 790 MB with 10 tabs) and features such as data throttling, resource limiting, ad blocking, webpage compression and fast tab switching; it is available on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android and iOS.

Opera (roughly 899 MB for 10 tabs) offers turbo mode, ad blocking, content compression, page load acceleration and DNS preloading, and is free on the same platforms. Opera GX adds RAM, CPU and network limiters plus an ad blocker and a free VPN for MacOS and Windows. Brave uses about 920 MB for 10 tabs, emphasizes privacy by blocking ads and trackers, and includes features like page load acceleration, content compression, quick resume and DNS preload.

K‑Meleon is a Gecko‑based, open‑source Windows browser developed by the K Foundation in India; it uses about 200 MB for 10 tabs and relies on a minimal interface, ad and tracker blocking, a built‑in VPN, caching and no support for JavaScript, Java or Flash, though its UI is described as old‑school and development has been slow.

Key Topics

Tech, Web Browsers, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Opera Gx, Brave