Microsoft Edge 134 brings significant performance enhancements across the board. Startup is faster thanks to Profile Guided Optimization (PGO) and a more efficient browser process initialization. Sleeping tabs, now enabled by default, reduce memory usage by 83% and CPU usage by 32% compared to discarded tabs. The browser also optimizes resource allocation for active tabs, improving performance even with many tabs open. Further enhancements include improved video playback performance, faster page loading from browser history, and reduced input latency. These changes result in a smoother, more responsive browsing experience with less resource consumption.
Chromium-based browsers on Windows are improving text rendering to match the clarity and accuracy of native Windows applications. By leveraging the DirectWrite API, these browsers will now render text using the same system-enhanced font rendering settings as other Windows programs, resulting in crisper, more legible text, particularly noticeable at smaller font sizes and on high-DPI screens. This change also improves text layout, resolving issues like incorrect bolding or clipping, and makes text selection and measurement more precise. The improved rendering is progressively rolling out to users on Windows 10 and 11.
HN commenters largely praise the improvements to text rendering in Chromium on Windows, noting a significant difference in clarity and readability, especially for fonts like Consolas. Some express excitement for the change, calling it a "huge quality of life improvement" and hoping other browsers will follow suit. A few commenters mention lingering issues or inconsistencies, particularly with ClearType settings and certain fonts. Others discuss the technical details of DirectWrite and how it compares to previous rendering methods, including GDI. The lack of subpixel rendering support in DirectWrite is also mentioned, with some hoping for its eventual implementation. Finally, a few users request similar improvements for macOS.
Summary of Comments ( 54 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43674159
Hacker News users generally expressed skepticism towards Microsoft's performance claims about Edge 134. Several commenters questioned the methodology and benchmarks used, pointing out the lack of specifics and the potential for cherry-picked results. Some suggested that perceived performance improvements might be due to disabling features or aggressive caching. Others noted that while benchmarks might show improvements, real-world performance, particularly memory usage, remains a concern for Edge. A few users offered anecdotal evidence, with some reporting positive experiences and others experiencing continued performance issues. The overall sentiment leans towards cautious observation rather than outright acceptance of Microsoft's claims.
The Hacker News post titled "Significant performance improvements with Edge 134" linking to a Windows blog post about Edge browser performance has generated several comments discussing various aspects of the browser and its performance claims.
Several commenters express skepticism about Microsoft's performance claims, pointing out that benchmarks presented by browser vendors should be taken with a grain of salt. They suggest that real-world performance and individual user experience can vary significantly. Some also mention the importance of considering factors beyond synthetic benchmarks, such as extensions used and specific website optimizations.
One commenter questions the methodology used in the benchmarks, specifically regarding the choice of competitors and the specific tests performed. They highlight the potential for bias when a vendor performs their own benchmarking and publishes the results. The commenter implies a desire for more transparent and independently verifiable performance comparisons.
Another thread of discussion revolves around the perception of Edge as "Chrome but worse." Commenters debate whether Edge offers any tangible benefits over Chrome, given their shared Chromium base. Some users express satisfaction with Edge, citing specific features or performance improvements they have experienced. Others argue that Edge primarily serves as a means for Microsoft to collect user data and promote its services.
A few commenters discuss the broader browser landscape, touching on topics such as the dominance of Chromium-based browsers and the challenges faced by alternative browsers like Firefox. They lament the lack of true competition and innovation in the browser market.
Some technical details about Edge's specific optimizations are discussed, including Sleeping Tabs and startup boost. Commenters share anecdotal experiences with these features and their impact on performance. However, there isn't in-depth technical analysis of the claimed improvements within the comments.
Finally, there's a brief discussion about the relevance of browser performance in modern hardware. Some commenters argue that with powerful CPUs and ample RAM, the performance differences between browsers are negligible for most users. Others contend that browser performance remains important, especially for users with lower-end hardware or specific use cases like intensive web applications.