It’s not clear when Chrome ceased being the sleek, efficient browser it was when we all first downloaded it and instead began turning laptops into jet engine simulators, but at some point in Chrome’s existence, it became a huge resource hog. Because we’re creatures of habit—and because the alternatives all have their own glaring problems—we still stick with Google’s browser, even as it melts our machines.
One of the major benefits of Chrome is the wealth of extensions available to add features to the browser. The Great Suspender is one such extension that might just save Chrome from melting your processor.
When you leave tabs open, those websites continue to run and require resources. Tabs you aren’t actively viewing bog down the whole experience and keep the sites you do have eyes on from running smoothly. The Great Suspender automatically puts unused tabs in sleep mode.
You can change the settings with the Great Suspender as to when it should turn the lights out on a tab; set it anywhere from 20 seconds to three days without viewing. Once the threshold is passed, the extension suspends the tab. Additional advanced settings can tell the Great Suspender to be more prudent in its task, like suspending only when running on battery power.
The Great Suspender also gives you the ability whitelist tabs you want to keep open or sites you never want to see draped in the blue screen of suspension—useful for sites you utilize throughout the day like social networks and email.
It might not fully fix Chrome’s penchant for eating all your resources, but it’ll at least curb its appetite.
H/T Mashable | Illustration by Fernando Alfonso III