Faster Browsing on Your Mac
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Memory To Go Special: MacPro 8 Core 8GB kit $232 / 4GB kit $116 / 2GB kit $72. New Macbook 2GB DDR3-$65. HARD DRIVES available -- Free shipping / LIfetime warranty.
Download Typestyler, still the Ultimate Styling Tool for Internet, Print and Video Graphics. Works great in Classic with a Native OS X Version on the way. Free Tryout: www.typestyler.com
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Mac users can finally play Party Poker for Mac. Not only that, they can also learn how to play PokerStars for Mac.
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- 2001.11.16
Last week I talked about some different ways you could speed up the Internet on your Mac. This week I will continue that thought and look at a couple of fast browsers I didn't mention last time.
This week I downloaded two browsers on two different machines, my G4/400 with OS X 10.1 and a 6100/60 with OS 9.1, to compare these browsers. I downloaded the latest beta of iCab, a fast browser that I had never really cared for in the past. I also downloaded the latest beta of Opera, a very fast browser from Opera Software.
iCab 2.6
I first downloaded iCab on my G4. I must say that I was impressed. It is nothing like I remember - it's fast, it's compatible, it seems stable, and it looks nice (I really like the buttons in the OS X version). What else can I say? It loads sites about twice as fast as Internet Explorer 5.1 and seems to have no problems handling plugins, such as QuickTime. Sites look the same in it as they do in IE or Netscape (notice the example in the picture).

One thing I don't like is the download manager. I like to see visual indications of when my file is going to be finished, not numbers (like 540kb/ 1.2MB). This isn't a huge deal, and I am sure it can be improved in a later version. Overall, iCab is a great browser.
I did have some trouble downloading iCab on the 6100 - it seemed to take forever, even though I was connected to the cable modem. I am thinking it is probably the fault of the 6100's built-in ethernet, which tends to be very slow, even compared to a NuBus 10Base-T ethernet card. It downloaded with no problems on my G4.
When it finally downloaded on the 6100, I opened it and was greeted by the iCab that I remembered - and was not too fond of. I decided I would give it another try, however. It certainly was faster than Internet Explorer 5 (which seemed would take an eternity just to load a simple website). iCab seemed tolerable for most things and loaded the Apple website in about 20 seconds and Low End Mac in about 10. The default Apple/Excite homepage opened in 7 seconds. If you're on a 68K Mac, iCab also has a version available for you.
One feature of iCab that I really like is the ability to filter images by website. This allows you to filter many of those annoying ads that pop up at the top of a website, or if you prefer, you can filter them by size.

Opera
I also downloaded Opera. In the past I liked Opera for its speed, but disliked it for its lack of support for plugins and extras. One thing you notice about Opera is that the layout is different from other browsers. By default the bookmarks window opens. If you want a browser window you must choose "new" from the file menu. Once that is up, you will notice that the navigation buttons are in different places than in iCab, IE, and Netscape. You will also notice that there are ads that pop up in the top of the browser window, a subtle reminder that you need to pay for the full version.
In the latest version, plugins are still not supported. While Opera is fast, it lacks the "finished" look and feel that iCab has nearly attained in its OS X version. (I don't like the Classic version of iCab's navigation button icons.) I find that the ads bother me, and the nonstandard layout and lack of support for plugins makes it too difficult for me to use as an everyday browser.
For a fast, stable browser, my recommendation is iCab.
Faster Caching with a RAM Disk
One other thing that can help speed up the Internet is putting your browser cache on a RAM disk. Since RAM is faster than your hard drive, you will see a speed boost by doing this. You can simply turn on a RAM disk in the memory control panel or use a third party utility such as ramBunctious. If you have 40 MB of RAM, I recommend you set the RAM disk for 8 MB, as this leaves 32 MB for the rest of the system and software. If you have less than 40 MB and are running OS 8.5 or later on a Power Mac, you may want to buy more RAM before you try using a RAM disk. If you have more than 40 MB (48, 56, 64, etc.), set the RAM disk to 12 MB.
In your browser, under where the option for the browser cache appears, choose the RAM disk as your cache folder. Make sure to set the size of the cache for no more than the size of your RAM disk.
Conclusion
If you have an older Mac and want to speed it up, downloading and installing iCab might be enough to bring it up to the speed that you want. If not, try playing with the browser cache. While you won't get the same speeds on the Internet as someone with modern hardware, you may be able to make performance acceptable for basic everyday use.
Recent Apple Archive articles
- iPods, notebooks, and other modern electronics more readily replaced than repaired, 12.07. Whether it's an intermittent failure or a broken display cable, more often than not it's cheaper to replace a broken electronics device than repair it.
- Options for replacing your older iPod, 11.19. Whether you've run out of space on your old iPod or want features it doesn't have, here are your options in new and used iPods.
- Could the $200 'green' PC with gOS Linux become a threat to Apple?, 11.14. The low cost, low power Everex desktop comes with a customized version of Ubuntu Linux, has a Mac-like Dock, and sells for $400 less than the Mac mini.
- Leopard different, a bit buggy, but worth the upgrade, 11.02. Leopard on a Power Mac G4 and a MacBook Pro: It runs well on both computers, but each has some odd bugs, and some of the changes are a step backwards.
- More in the Apple Archive index.
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: 'Sawtooth' Power Mac G4, Aug. 1999 - Available in speeds from 350-500 MHz, 'Sawtooth' introduced AGP video to the Mac.
- Group of the Day: G4 List is for those using Power Mac G4s or G4 upgrades.
- November 22 in LEM history: 99: Gradebooks - 00: Leveraging Apple design - Quadra 630 to Power Mac 5200 - 02: Laptop or desktop? - 04: SuperDuper: Quick, easy, efficient backup - Cross-platform programming for the rest of us - 05: Mac video surveillance on the cheap - Which OS is best for my vintage Mac? - No 'best browser' for the Mac - Sorry state of browsers for classic Macs - 06: Core 2 means cooler running 'Books - 2.0 GHz G4 upgrade
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- The Long Term Value of a High End Mac, Andrew J Fishkin, Best Tools for the Job, 11.21. Low-end Macs are more affordable up front, but the flexibility and upgrade options of a top-end Mac can make it the better value in the long run.
- iPhone #1 Worldwide, Google Voice Search for iPhone, iPhone 3G Battery Pack, and More, iNews Review, 11.21. Also British accents throw off Google voice search, lots of new iPhone apps, universal USB car charger, new protective cases, and more.
- 15 Reasons Macs Are Better, Quad-core iMac in January?, USB 3.0 Spec Finalized, and More, Mac News Review, 11.21. Also 25 years of Macs, 'Snow Leopard' in Q1?, SimpleTech's faster and greener hard drive, Hyperspaces, StarOffice for OS X, and more.
- DisplayPort Copy Protection, Trackpad Update, Netbooks Not to Be Taken Lightly, and More, The 'Book Review, 11.21. Also Apple set for record sales, 4-finger gestures on original MacBook Air, MacBook Apple's best consumer notebook to date, Cricket laptop stand, bargain 'Books from $490 to $2,299, and more.
- Virtualization Shootout: VMWare Fusion 2 vs. Parallels Desktop 4, Kev Kitchens, Kitchens Sync, 11.20. Both programs do the same thing, but one runs Windows XP smoothly alongside Mac apps, while the other bogs down everything but Windows.
- Just Right: Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear MacBooks, Charles W. Moore, 'Book Value, 11.20. Some people like small and light notebooks, others prefer huge desktop replacements, but the best value tends to be in the middle.
- Apple Caves to Hollywood with DRM on iTunes Videos, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 11.20. HDCP on the new MacBooks means that you may never really own those videos you buy from the iTunes Store.
- Leopard Runs Very Nicely on PowerPC Macs, Simon Royal, Mac Spectrum, 11.19. Some claim that Mac OS X 10.5 is so optimized for Intel Macs that it runs poorly on PowerPC hardware. That's simply not the case.
- No High Definition iTunes Video for You, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 11.19. The October 2008 MacBooks are preventing users from viewing some high-def iTunes content from being viewed on their external displays. Poor form!
- Every Working Computer Is Useful to Someone, Allison Payne, The Budget Mac, 11.19. Whether it's a PowerBook 1400, G3 iMac, or Power Mac G4, it could be all the computer someone needs.
- 3 WeatherBug Options for Apple Users, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.19. Have instant access to current local weather conditions with a Dashboard widget, iPhone app, or Firefox plugin.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals, 11.20. Used 400 MHz, $50; 733, $100; 800, $199; 1.25 GHz, $300; 800 MHz dual, $200, 867, $300; 1 GHz, $350; 1.42, $400.
- Best iBook G3 Deals, 11.20. Used 300 MHz clamshell, $150; 366, $199; 800 CD, $180; 600 CD-RW, $240; 700 Combo, $290; 900, $369; 14" 600, $360; 900, $449.
- Best Power Mac G3 and PCI Video Card Deals, 11.20. Used beige 300 MHz, $25; blue & white 350, $80; 400, $90; 450, $105; PCI video cards from $15; shipping additional.
- Best iMac G4 Deals, 11.18. Used 15" 700 MHz Combo, $243; 800 MHz, $280; 1 GHz, $380; 17" 1.25 GHz SuperDrive, $400; 20", $549.
- Best MacBook Air Deals, 11.18. New 1.6 80, $1,150 after rebate; 120, $1,744 a/r; 1.8 80, $1,794 a/r; 1.6 128 SSD, $2,150; used 1.8 64 SSD, $1,500; new, $2,200 a/r; 1.86, $2,398 a/r.
- Best Mac OS X 10.0-10.3 Deals, 11.18. Mac OS X 10.0.3, $30; 10.1, $20; 10.2, $60; 10.3 CD, DVD, $100; CD, $119; 10.1 Server, unlimited users, $58; 10.3 Server, unlimited, $150.
- Best iPod nano Deals, 11.17. Refurb 3G/4 GB, $79; new, $114; refurb 8 GB, $99; new, $125; 3G/8 GB, from $134; 16 GB, from $189. Prices include ground shipping.
- Best Titanium PowerBook G4 Deals, 11.17. Used 1 GHz with SuperDrive, $478 plus shipping.
- Best Xserve deals, 11.17. Used G4/1 GHz, $999; G5/2 GHz, $1,288; new 2.0 4-core Xeon, $1,900; refurb 3.0 4-core, $2,599; 2.8 GHz, $2,499; 3.0 8-core, $3,499.
- More deals in our archive.
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