Description
When I use Zen Browser, I experience excessive RAM consumption and my computer’s fan spins loudly. In simple terms, the browser uses far more memory (RAM) than expected, which causes the CPU to work harder. As a result, the system heats up, and the fan kicks into high gear to cool the system. For example, while other browsers like Chrome or Firefox run smoothly without noticeable slowdowns, Zen Browser’s memory usage quickly jumps to several gigabytes even with only a few tabs open. This puts a strain on system performance and battery life (for laptops).
Steps to Reproduce
- Open Zen Browser.
- Load a few web pages (e.g., news sites or social media).
- Notice that the RAM usage increases quickly (e.g., 1.5–2 GB with just a few tabs).
- Observe the system behavior:
- The fan spins noticeably fast (loud noise) even during light browsing, indicating the system is under heavy load.
- System responsiveness decreases, and the computer may feel sluggish.
- Compare with other browsers:
- Opening the same tabs in Chrome or Firefox does not cause the same level of RAM usage or fan noise.
Expected Behavior
- Efficient RAM Management: Zen Browser should use memory efficiently so that opening a few tabs does not consume excessive resources.
- Minimal Impact on System Cooling: The CPU temperature should remain within normal limits, meaning the fan should not spin loudly unless running very resource-intensive tasks.
Impact
- Performance Degradation: High RAM usage leads to slow system performance and lag, making browsing frustrating.
- Increased Power Consumption: Especially on laptops, this results in rapid battery drain and extra heat.
- User Experience: The loud fan noise can be distracting in quiet environments.
Additional Details
- Hardware/OS: (Mention your operating system and hardware specifications here—for example, “Windows 10 on a mid-range laptop with 8 GB of RAM” or “macOS on a MacBook Air with 8 GB of RAM”.)
- Browser Version: (Include the version number of Zen Browser you are using, if available.)
- Comparisons: Other browsers on the same machine do not exhibit this problem, suggesting it may be an issue with Zen Browser’s resource management.
Suggestions for Developers
- Optimize Resource Allocation: Review how Zen Browser allocates and releases RAM, especially with background tasks and idle tabs.
- Improve Process Efficiency: Consider implementing better background tab management (e.g., hibernating inactive tabs) to reduce CPU load and system heat.
- Provide Settings for Users: An option to adjust resource consumption or manage how aggressively the browser preloads content might help users who experience these issues.
