I see that Chris C. uses Firefox on Mac just fine. I have a Macbook Pro, 2GHz Intel Core Duo, 2GB Memory, and Firefox 3. For both the current version, and Firefox 2, I have always had very sluggish performance and when there's any type of flash or video on a page, it becomes so slow it's unusable.
I've searched forums and help resources all over the internet, but could never find a solution. I have found other people looking for the same answer as me, but never a reason or solution.
Even with no add-ons and a fresh install, it's terribly slow. I'm a web developer, so it's really tuff for me since I don't get to use Firebug without Firefox. I have resorted to installing Parallels and running Firefox on windows for my development work, but this sucks up a lot of my computer's power and would be ever so grateful if anyone has a solution for my Firefox Mac troubles.
Firefox on OS X can be a bit of a handful - I stopped using it since version 3.0, although the 3.1 beta I have to say is much faster! I initially moved to Safari 3 - but then after a couple of updates, I found that that too was becoming sluggish - and then moved to Camino, which has always been fast and renders web pages similarly to Firefox 2. Safari 4 however, is pretty fast and I am happy with it. It complies to web standards and displays many CSS3 elements. The developer tools are getting pretty close to the usefulness and simplicity of Firefox's Firebug too. I'd recommend trying out Safari 4 Beta and Firefox 3.1 Beta - I'm sure you'll find each of them an improvement over the abomination that is Firefox 3.0 on OS X.
Thanks for the info, Box. I forgot to mention the OS X version I'm running is 10.4.11. But about your comments, it seems you've had even more trouble than me with browsers. For me, Firefox is the only one that has given me trouble on my Mac. Every other browser works just fine, no matter how long I've been using it.
I will try Firefox 3.1 beta, but the question still remains. Why is it some folks who use a mac don't have any problems with Firefox, including Chris Coyier, but with others, Firefox crawls like a 3 legged turtle?
Thanks for the info, Box. I forgot to mention the OS X version I'm running is 10.4.11. But about your comments, it seems you've had even more trouble than me with browsers. For me, Firefox is the only one that has given me trouble on my Mac. Every other browser works just fine, no matter how long I've been using it.
I will try Firefox 3.1 beta, but the question still remains. Why is it some folks who use a mac don't have any problems with Firefox, including Chris Coyier, but with others, Firefox crawls like a 3 legged turtle?
do you have any extensions or themes? if so turn them all off and test, you may have one of them hogging resources.
also have you a firewall, that you have not given full permissions for FF to see the net?
you may have to un-install FF totally delete every folder it has ever made, and do a complete fresh install, so that you get a brand new profile, this should solve any problems.....
but I have safari 4 beta and it is a resource hog for me, in fact I can only run it for 2 mins, before it stops my computer, I wish I could go back to an earlier version
Even with a fresh install, no add-ons or themes, all previous FF folders deleted. It's a slow and impossible to use program on my mac. I did download FF 3. beta and it seems to run reasonably fast enough. Although I haven't used it much since Firebug does not work on 3.1 yet.
I found firefox 3.0* very slow even without any addons - and I'm not alone in experiencing this problem, it's pretty widespread with OS X users. I do have Firebug working well in FF3.1 beta however. I can't remember whether I hacked it to work, or found a version that runs on it - but I do have "add-on compatibility checking" disabled if that's any help. I'm sure a quick google will show how to get FireBug on 3.1. I'll look myself later if I get the chance.
I've searched forums and help resources all over the internet, but could never find a solution. I have found other people looking for the same answer as me, but never a reason or solution.
Even with no add-ons and a fresh install, it's terribly slow. I'm a web developer, so it's really tuff for me since I don't get to use Firebug without Firefox. I have resorted to installing Parallels and running Firefox on windows for my development work, but this sucks up a lot of my computer's power and would be ever so grateful if anyone has a solution for my Firefox Mac troubles.
Thanks.
I'd recommend trying out Safari 4 Beta and Firefox 3.1 Beta - I'm sure you'll find each of them an improvement over the abomination that is Firefox 3.0 on OS X.
I will try Firefox 3.1 beta, but the question still remains. Why is it some folks who use a mac don't have any problems with Firefox, including Chris Coyier, but with others, Firefox crawls like a 3 legged turtle?
do you have any extensions or themes?
if so turn them all off and test, you may have one of them hogging resources.
also have you a firewall, that you have not given full permissions for FF to see the net?
you may have to un-install FF totally delete every folder it has ever made, and do a complete fresh install, so that you get a brand new profile, this should solve any problems.....
but I have safari 4 beta and it is a resource hog for me, in fact I can only run it for 2 mins, before it stops my computer, I wish I could go back to an earlier version
I do have Firebug working well in FF3.1 beta however. I can't remember whether I hacked it to work, or found a version that runs on it - but I do have "add-on compatibility checking" disabled if that's any help. I'm sure a quick google will show how to get FireBug on 3.1. I'll look myself later if I get the chance.