Am I the only person who's not particularly impressed with Chrome? In comparison to the stock browser (which thanks to Censura_Umbra is now installed on my N7) it's slow, clunky, takes up too much screen real estate and has a tendency to butcher page layout.
Take Engadget, for example. Chrome takes at least 10 seconds to completely load the page, and scrolling more than a screen and a half leaves you staring at the white background waiting for the page to finish rendering.
On top of that it only responds to one swipe in three and the bookmarks implementation is borked. It's nice to sync tabs between my PC but if that's the sole benefit Google shot themselves in the foot with this.
What's the point of Project Butter if the main thing that people use their phones or tablets for isn't optimised at all?
Chrome works great for me. But on my nexus phone on the other hand, is the opposite. It takes up so much space, takes forever to load, slow page rendering, slow animations and very frequent freezing and crashing
I don't get my N7 until Monday, but am curious about Chrome. I tried it on my PC, but went back to Firefox. On my phone and Galaxy Player I use Xscope because I can zoom any mobile page. Mobile pages are much better than they use to be and my preferred viewing method.
Does Chrome pinch zoom on all mobile pages? (say Facebook for example) If not then Xscope may be the 1st thing I change (other than adding GO Launcher)
It is indeed slow but the syncing of bookmarks is why i use it. Plus i can see which pages i have open on my desktop.
Mandated from Stannis Baratheon
I'm not sure what you guys are talking about. Chrome is the fastest browser on my Note, Nexus 7 and Captivate.
OTOH I've only tried the crappy built-in browser, Opera, Dolphin HD, Dolphin Mini and a couple others. Am I missing something here?
tcat007 said:
I don't get my N7 until Monday, but am curious about Chrome. I tried it on my PC, but went back to Firefox. On my phone and Galaxy Player I use Xscope because I can zoom any mobile page. Mobile pages are much better than they use to be and my preferred viewing method.
Does Chrome pinch zoom on all mobile pages? (say Facebook for example) If not then Xscope may be the 1st thing I change (other than adding GO Launcher)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll very likely have problems with Chrome if your have firefox installed on the same computer, if you really want to enjoy a bugeless Chrome experience then you'll have to get rid of firefox and I'm speaking from experience. I used to use firefox before but I've found Chrome to be faster, smoother and much more intuitive.
On my SGSIII I find Chrome to be a very Good browser, better than stock. The only two issue I find with Chrome are the lack of flash and the poor text reflow after pinch to zoom. If you want perfect text reflow after pinch to zoom, then jettison Chrome and go for "boat browser"
Chrome on the PC is great. On the phone / tablet... not so much.
Those looking for an example, visit the desktop version of Engadget in Chrome and try scrolling.
David Horn said:
Chrome on the PC is great. On the phone / tablet... not so much.
Those looking for an example, visit the desktop version of Engadget in Chrome and try scrolling.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the problem here? I tried this on an old SGS i9000 and the only issues I have are a little bit of stuttering, although I'd put that down to my underpowered phone(?)
P.S I'm not just here to challenge you. I'm genuinely interested, thinking of getting a Nexus 7 as it's pretty much the only tablet I can afford
On the N7, if the page is still loading, as you try to scroll it'll show a page of white while it finishes rendering, which is really slow compared to the stock browser which has the page ready to go within seconds.
Chrome is smooth IF you wait for the page to finish rendering - which can be several seconds after it's finished loading.
David Horn said:
On the N7, if the page is still loading, as you try to scroll it'll show a page of white while it finishes rendering, which is really slow compared to the stock browser which has the page ready to go within seconds.
Chrome is smooth IF you wait for the page to finish rendering - which can be several seconds after it's finished loading.
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Click to collapse
Ah I see, thanks for that. I wonder why one is so much faster at rendering, perhaps one uses the CPU & the other shoves it onto the GPU? I don't really know, just speculating. But it's something to look into should I get one
aosp has flash which is whats great. but other than that..chrome is better if it supported flash.
Thanks for the love lol
But I love chrome, I do wish it was a bit more minimalistic (like how aosp hides the bar unless you scroll.) If it had flash and an easy way to swipe away open tabs, It would be happy.
I only installed AOSP for a stable and minimal flash browser.
I have Chrome on my laptop, phone and N7- I've never had a problem. I used to be an aggressive Firefox user but it was so slow on my phone (which is admittedly old) I just gave up.
The tabs and bookmark sync are just too attractive to resist.
I personally like the AOSP browser better than the Chrome browser. Chrome is still young though so I think at some point it will surpass the AOSP browser.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Chrome: no full screen....no default user agent....no use.
Does the AOSP browser have any sync capabilities?
AtropineNa said:
Does the AOSP browser have any sync capabilities?
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Click to collapse
Not on the nexus 7. They cause force closing so they are disabled. Probably due to Chrome's syncing. You could try removing all of chrome. That might fix it
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
I don't mind chrome ..it does its job fine for me
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Related
Hi everyone this is just a quick poll in regards to how your stock browser performs compared to Chrome (if you use it)
I'm not sure if this is just me or if everyone is experiencing this. I never really used the stock browser since right when I got my phone I installed Chrome, but lately its performance have been laggy on both my Transformer Prime and Galaxy Nexus..so I did a quick scrolling test.
1. browsed to www.engadget.com full desktop version
2. Wait for page to completely load
3. Scrolled up and down through the page.
I found Chrome even after the page was completely loaded continued to try the render images causing choppy scrolling while the stock was smooth.
Chrome belongs on the desktop, imo. Eye candy aside, it doesn't (imo) bring anything to the table, and is slower/fatter than stock.
I love stock not only cuz its smoother but it will open flawlessly any flash site lol..
Chrome looks good still need some work tho.. No flash support but hey keep in mind its still a beta..
So might get way better than stock or become a "safari like in apple" in the upcoming android versions
Galaxy Nexus AOKP m5 Franco kernel m3
Stock ftw.
...of the people, by the people, for the people...
I have noticed that the Chrome browser does seem to lag on the "heavy media" type sites...
Keep in mind though that it's based on the Google Chrome for Desktop code base, which in theory should be updated more frequently then the codebase for the stock browser...
Also, I believe it's been stated that it will never get Flash support (Officially...?)
Seems about the same to me. Admittedly I'm not a very heavy browser on my phone though. Few pages a day at most.
Chrome starts a bit slower but I find it's slightly faster going from one website to another. Stock browser remains the default as I want to keep Flash and full screen browsing.
ZachPatterson said:
Also, I believe it's been stated that it will never get Flash support (Officially...?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct.
From Google: https://developers.google.com/chrome/mobile/docs/faq
From Adobe: http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplayer/2012/02/flash-chrome-for-android-beta.html
Chrome has lagged for me from day 1 since it released, while stock was always smooth. I've never understood all the people who see opposite. I just thought I lived in the twilight zone.
So your results are normal to me. Plus chrome runs a huge service that never closes and skews multitasking.
Plus stock has invert color option for all black web pages. And the quick controls on side of the screen. To me the stock browser pretty much destroys chrome in every way. I think chrome gets better html5 scores though.
I used to use the stock browser, but I recently switched over to Firefox Beta. Now, before you all say that Firefox is slow as hell, the current beta has a new UI that is actually pretty fast. Not as fast as stock is, but the fact that Firefox has addons more than makes up for that. Adblock Plus, and other addons are a must for me. Although I have AdAway to block ads globally, it does not get rid of the empty spaces inside webpages. Adblock Plus does this. I'm currently using FF as my main browser and stock as my backup browser.
I'm a big fan of Opera Mobile since WM6.1.
I like the start page with the thumbs/shortcuts. Stock doesn't have it.
I like that all the controls are at the bottom of the screen. Stock tab control is on the top which is not convenient to switch between tabs (and I'm using tabs a lot).
Go for Opera mobile!!
PS: I have no idea how slow/fast is Opera. Because I didn't compare it.
I have tried most of the browsers,they have beautiful features but they are not as fast as stock so i always return to stock after trying
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Chrome has potential but it is a resource hog just like on the PC and double-tap zoom bugs out a lot, and doesn't even work at all on images.
Stock still wins, unless you need to download a large file... Opera handles that much better.
-Sent via XDA Premium-
Chrome will never get flash because all new browsers are going to be using HTML5
Sent from my HTC PH39100 using XDA
I think they both have similar performance (minus one not having flash). But I think chrome does some things better than the stock browser.
It handles tabs much better vs stock without quick controls. It will also zoom in with a little popup window if you press on two links which are close together so you can select the right one. Also, when pinch zooming the browser doesn't wait until you lift your fingers to render the rest of the page.
Some people may also prefer the fact that the nav bar is persistent in chrome.
Sent via Galaxy Nexus
bullka said:
I'm a big fan of Opera Mobile since WM6.1.
I like the start page with the thumbs/shortcuts. Stock doesn't have it.
I like that all the controls are at the bottom of the screen. Stock tab control is on the top which is not convenient to switch between tabs (and I'm using tabs a lot).
Go for Opera mobile!!
PS: I have no idea how slow/fast is Opera. Because I didn't compare it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not use the quick control on stock browser? It has a real great tab control, just slide and hold. And the quick control appears on any part of the screen you want.
Such a horrible browser! Lags, freezes, slow, stupid checker board.... Horrible. Constantly refreshes every time I leave the app and come back real quick. The stock browser in my HTC incredible s is faster and more efficient... Even with 4 flash videos running at the same time!
I just used opera mobile just now and it is world's better than crappy chrome mobile.
The only thing it has going for it is the ability to sync desktop bookmarks and current tabs opened... But it's so laggy and slow, it's a pain.
opera Mobile is now my default browser
How can something so awesome on the desktop suck so badly on mobile?
#smh
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
I have been enjoying the latest dolphin browser beta: http://dolphin-browser.com/beta/
Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using xda premium
Wow... I keep going back to Chrome. Haven't found any that zoom and wrap any better. Have never seen a refresh. I tried Dolphin, Boat, FF Beta, and Xscope. Keeping Xscope for flash, Chrome for 90% of all other. I use Firefox on PC, so Chrome sync is not used, I don't like so many bookmarks anyway. While I have my favorites on my home page, I find this bookmark app helpful. I find the font and text size in Chrome much better than any other browser. If it would use flash, it's the only one I'd use.
Chrome and Dolphin are the best I've used so far, and neither make me super happy. Chrome lags big time on certain sites (Tumblr for example) and closes tabs as soon as you look away. Dolphin is faster, most of the time, but has rendering issues on some sites (ESPN for example, gives the mobile site vs the tablet site, no matter what the user agent is). As an iOS user historically, I was expecting the browser experience to be better on Android since it's an "open" system, but unfortunately that has not been true. Hopefully someone steps up to the plate.
I had a TF101, and I felt the stock browser on that was better than Chrome now. Especially small usability things like having a bookmarks bar. It shouldn't take 5-10 seconds to load my bookmarks (multiple taps + loading wait), they should be available quickly and efficiently.
I actually quite like chrome on a tablet!
Its always been really responsive and fast.
Tried, dolphin beta, Firefox & opera but none of them compare to chrome.
The lack of flash support isnt a huge problem for me.
Seriously? something must be wrong with your OS or hardware because for me is working great! I'm a ex- Transformer prime user with the stock browser and Chrome is by far the best browser experience I ever had in an Android tablet, although I have not tried that Dolphin Beta mentioned above
yeah, I feel you
I know that chrome is FAR from perfect as of now, and I even have dolphin installed, but something about it just keeps making me come back to it...
I click on the Chrome icon and it opens to my bookmarks home page in about 1 second. Click XDA BM and opens in 1-2 seconds. I find Chrome VERY fast, just lacks flash which is a BIG "just".
Dorkington said:
I had a TF101, and I felt the stock browser on that was better than Chrome now. Especially small usability things like having a bookmarks bar. It shouldn't take 5-10 seconds to load my bookmarks (multiple taps + loading wait), they should be available quickly and efficiently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chrome is 2nd rate til they enable full screen option, and default desktop setting.
Boat browser swims circles around chrome right now.
If you put Chrome on a transformer prime, it's known to cause all the other browsers you have installed to then lock up and crash on a very regular basis.
You have to uninstall Chrome, and then flash, and reinstall flash to get back to normal. I was curious when they decided to use chrome as the default if they'd fixed this. I think the answer is sorta.
While the lockups arent near as frequent or bad as they are on the prime. It still happens. The best combo on the prime was browser, and opera. Which seems to work well on the nexus as well.
My only gripe with Chrome is that the new tab page opens up Mobile Bookmarks as the default bookmark folder, even though I have absolutely no bookmarks stored in that folder. Why can't I just be taken to the root bookmark folder?
Other than that, Chrome is smooth enough to be usable for me. Usually if it starts chugging, it's because I have another app open in the background eating up all of my system resources. Having to refresh the page after leaving the app for an extended period of time makes sense given the limited resources on this device, and it happens with other browsers, too. Android's memory management is only as good as the memory management of your third party apps, which is to say most developers are still terrible at it.
I too have problems with Chrome. Currently using the stock browser.
Turbocom said:
I too have problems with Chrome. Currently using the stock browser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How does one install the stock browser on the Nexus 7? (Preferably without rooting)
thevuman said:
Such a horrible browser! Lags, freezes, slow, stupid checker board.... Horrible. Constantly refreshes every time I leave the app and come back real quick. The stock browser in my HTC incredible s is faster and more efficient... Even with 4 flash videos running at the same time!
I just used opera mobile just now and it is world's better than crappy chrome mobile.
The only thing it has going for it is the ability to sync desktop bookmarks and current tabs opened... But it's so laggy and slow, it's a pain.
opera Mobile is now my default browser
How can something so awesome on the desktop suck so badly on mobile?
#smh
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chrome on the Nexus 7 is great.. I've never had any of the issue you described. No lags, refreshed, anything. It's fast and perfect.
I've heard people complain about it but all I can think is that there's something wrong on their end.
You guys don't get the checkerboard effect either? Surely you must. I've seen it in video reviews too.
I fap to the porn forums on Tapatalk 2
Checkerboard? Never saw that, but then I've never watched a video in chrome. I either use the You Tube app or Xscope.
tcat007 said:
Checkerboard? Never saw that, but then I've never watched a video in chrome. I either use the You Tube app or Xscope.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Checkerboard, meaning the whole page hasn't rendered and as you scroll, white squares will fill in spots on the page that haven't rendered yet.
Yeah I find the same with Chrome, good example is to load the Engadget website and scroll through it as its loading.
Using Dolphin, the best browser in my opinion. Might give the new beta a go.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I love Chrome, it is my first option on all my devices. Never really liked Dolphin
Boat Browser. Android Chrome is still in its puberty. When it has matured, it will be something to reckon with.
I keep switching between chrome, dolphin and the stock from 4.1......is it my imagination or is chrome still 3rd choice? It just seems so unintuitive to use. Are you guys switching to chrome or staying with one of the other browsers?
I think chrome is better than the default browser... but android beam still does not work with this app!
I love some of the Chrome features life the lateral-swipe to switch tabs and the zoom bubble that appears if you click in a small link, but I hate how it handles the bookmarks. We can't have everything, I guess :\
I use Chrome because it syncs with my desktop browser, but the Android browser is a lot smoother. Chrome stutters all the time when I scroll and often ignores input while it stutters, but I have a hard time getting the Android browser to stutter at all.
If you don't need the synchronization with your desktop, Android browser is still the better choice.
is it possible to have ALWAYS desktop version of a site without requesting it every time???
Thanks for the replies.....I keep expecting chrome to be the beez kneez but it always seems lackluster/less friendly than the android version. I dont know why, but after sandy when signals were extremely weak or non existent in my area, dolphin performed the best on a gnex (vzw) 4.1.2 and on an old droid 3
stock 4.2 browser is the best.
qandrav said:
is it possible to have ALWAYS desktop version of a site without requesting it every time???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you can do this in the stock browser under settings->advanced->user agent->desktop. No equivalent option in chrome that I know of.
thegtfusion said:
stock 4.2 browser is the best.
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Click to collapse
glad you like it. the goog powers that be are probably glad too
Ive been trying to use it all day but its not working for me....a shame because i feel like im cheating on google when i use the other browsers haha
I think as long as they dont add the "quick controls" to chrome, the android browser will always have the lead. those controls are incredibly useful for one hand operation, and really anything involving the search bar at the top. no need to move the thumb up there(which is annoying on big screens), just press the side and swype to the url control and bam! and now with "swype" on the keyboard, its actually getting pretty nice having a big screen but only using one hand
thegtfusion said:
stock 4.2 browser is the best.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think there's a bug when refreshing the page if you are using quick control. there'll be a black block on top.
JoeSyr said:
I believe you can do this in the stock browser under settings->advanced->user agent->desktop. No equivalent option in chrome that I know of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the stock or opera or dolphin it's possible but it's very annoing click on "desktop version" every time....
qandrav said:
On the stock or opera or dolphin it's possible but it's very annoing click on "desktop version" every time....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't seem to find the option (user agent) on stock browser... Do you know where I can find it?
There are 2 things keeping mé away from chrome and that is:
-Quick controls
-full screen mode
Stock browser is also smoother IMO...
Torbennmadsen said:
There are 2 things keeping mé away from chrome and that is:
-Quick controls
-full screen mode
Stock browser is also smoother IMO...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It most definitely IS more smooth...
I use Google Chrome on PC, and it gets synced up very conveniently with Google Chrome on my Gnex, so I tend to stick with Chrome.
gideonMorrison said:
I can't seem to find the option (user agent) on stock browser... Do you know where I can find it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could not find the user agent on stock browser either. Yakju version. Just updated to 4.2.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
i use to like Dolphin browser but Chrome kinda feels solid. I have Dolphin browser with Jetpack on N7 and it indeed loads pages faster then chrome. They've recently added magnifier like in chrome it's still needs a little bit of optimization.
The stock 4.2 browser is faster and more fluid than chrome. Chrome is better in handling all kind of online forms.
I love stock browser but I want to give chrome browser a whirl. However, how do you guys adjust the font for chrome where it is readable? There are some fonts on the page which are perfect for viewing and at the same time , other parts of the page, the fonts are so small. Why can't all the fonts be near or equal on the same page like stock browser.
So as the title says : do you prefer using Stock Browser or Chrome , and why ?
Thanks folx
Stock, why pop-up
I like the stock one so far
I really like lots of things about Chrome and much prefer the way it handles tabs over the stock browser - it's so slow changing between tabs on the built in one - but the performance of the stock is just so much better that I can't use Chrome. Is it the same for everyone? Scrolling in Chrome is just so stutter and choppy, especially noticeable when going slowly.
Stock- Of course. Always, browsing heavy sites, reading and all.
Chrome- Never (other than when I want to show off that pesky tab sliding view, but I don't show off)
Opera- For downloading.
Period.
Don't forget that flash works with the stock browser but not Chrome, also now I have adjusted Framework, the stock browser defaults to desktop view instead of having to tick that damn box everytime you open a new tab!
Well, like most others, I've obviously noticed the better speed in the stock browser, so it's always a temptation.
However, apparently unlike most of the others who've replied, I spend 90% of my browsing time in Chrome, due to the exceptionally useful (for me) integration between Chrome on my (two) Android devices (Nexus 7 tablet, Galaxy Note 2 smartphone) and my two laptops. The fact that my bookmarks are kept in perfect, almost instant synchronization between these devices, as well as the extremely useful feature to open any tab on one device instantly on another one, are just too useful to pass up. If I run into a web page that is just too unresponsive to use in Chrome, I will sometimes go ahead an open in in the stock browser. I wish there was an add-in or something in Chrome to allow you to choose another browser to open the current page in.
Anyway, now that Google is shipping Chrome as the default browser on JB, I'm hopeful that they will continue to improve its rendering speed and responsiveness.
Only thing i hate about stock browser is slow tab management.. and im a heavy tab user.. thats the only thing that irritates me with stock browser...
Handwritten from my Note 2
Chrome here because I can sync with all my desktop bookmarks.
stock, used to it and flash support
I prefer chromes interface but rarely use
My favorite browser is the stock AOSP browser. I really wish we could have that browser on stock firmware.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda app-developers app
Prefer stock on my phone, but only use crome on pc.
Because stock support flash.
Just cause i have to be different.....Id pick Dolphin over both. Really good gesture control
I always try Chrome but I always revert back to the stock browser. Because of flash support and the pop-up feature. I hate the fact that flash is not supported in chrome. I think it should be until HTML5 really does replace flash. in the meantime stock broswer for the win.
Although I do prefer the way Chrome handles tabs.
only stock, why?
full screen
flash
a lot of smoother
also can import bookmarks from pc chrome (syncing gmail acc internet bookmarks)
save page for offline view
Boat browser ...shores up the shortcomings of both...
I'm currently on opera mobile due to one feature call the text wrapping. and stock browser, aosp browser doesn't seem to work properly even when enabled. anyone has recommendation of other browsers that has text wrapping working beside opera mobile?
What is that desktop default mod?
padlad said:
Don't forget that flash works with the stock browser but not Chrome, also now I have adjusted Framework, the stock browser defaults to desktop view instead of having to tick that damn box everytime you open a new tab!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally use Dolphin Browser. It's the best on the market and gets almost top scores on html5test.com
Stock
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
Sometimes I get an annoying scrolling lag when surfing in Google chrome. How do I know if this is lag from the application, from my WiFi connection, or from my phone?
Mine's been amazing compared to my last phone the Galaxy Nexus. No lag on this bad boy.
I did a side by side comparison with Google Chrome versus the stock browser on the same webpage. The stock browser definitely scrolls smoother, but Chrome loads the webpage faster.
I think the scrolling lag is a Chrome issue.
I've got more than 100 tabs open in Chrome, and no lag. It cleverly shows a smiley face where the number of tabs open button used to be lol
Syn Ack said:
I've got more than 100 tabs open in Chrome, and no lag. It cleverly shows a smiley face where the number of tabs open button used to be lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
anyone who says the chrome mobile browser has no lag, is kidding themselves. scrolling and rendering is always slower for me on chrome vs htc browser, samsung browser or boat browser. The only advantage I see for chrome is it pulling your open desktop tabs over to your phone.
nrfitchett4 said:
anyone who says the chrome mobile browser has no lag, is kidding themselves. scrolling and rendering is always slower for me on chrome vs htc browser, samsung browser or boat browser. The only advantage I see for chrome is it pulling your open desktop tabs over to your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get lag but the stock HTC browser is smoother
nrfitchett4 said:
anyone who says the chrome mobile browser has no lag, is kidding themselves. scrolling and rendering is always slower for me on chrome vs htc browser, samsung browser or boat browser. The only advantage I see for chrome is it pulling your open desktop tabs over to your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your experience with ir and someone else's may be different. It's not as open and shut as some may think. I prefer chrome over stock because its smoother from what I've seen.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using xda app-developers app
cstrife999 said:
Your experience with ir and someone else's may be different. It's not as open and shut as some may think. I prefer chrome over stock because its smoother from what I've seen.
Sent from my HTC6500LVW using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe so, but every side by side comparison and every unofficial test I've done have had it be slower than just about any other browser out there. I think its trying to do too much.
nrfitchett4 said:
anyone who says the chrome mobile browser has no lag, is kidding themselves. scrolling and rendering is always slower for me on chrome vs htc browser, samsung browser or boat browser. The only advantage I see for chrome is it pulling your open desktop tabs over to your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree with this. I've decided until Chrome improves, I can handle not being able to access my desktop bookmarks.
The difference in smoothness is really noticeable on identical web pages.