Cameras
Camcorders
Cell Phones
Components
Desktops
HDTV
Home Theater
GPS
Laptops
Monitors
MP3 Players
Networking &
Printers
Storage
Maxthon
Version: 2.5.6.350
Downloads Count: 55,290
License Type: Free
Price: Free
Date Added: Aug 26, 2009
Operating Systems: Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Vista
Requirements: 500MHz CPU, 256MB RAM, 20MB free hard disk space, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
File Size: 5234 KB
Author: Maxthon International
- Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (SP1) 314,519
- Adobe Reader 248,128
- Firefox 241,008
- Netscape 223,542
- Crazy Browser 181,774
Editorial Review of Maxthon
Alternative Web browser Maxthon is best described as an Microsoft Internet Explorer skin; in fact, it requires IE to be installed in order to work correctly. However, Maxthon is so different from IE as far as features and add-ons, that it's odd that Maxthon International Limited tied it in with IE in the first place--a quirk that no other major browser shares. According to Maxthon's blog, it uses the Trident layout engine, just like Internet Explorer, and therefore should have increased compatibility in those few draconian Web sites out there that still require IE to function. Maxthon is extraordinarily popular in China (more on that later) and boasts over 200 million downloads.
Unlike most modern Web browsers, the current version of Maxthon isn't Webkit-based. The upcoming version 3 promises this design, which will bring it in line with its competition, as well as allowing it to score 100 on the Acid 3 web standards test. It's a good bet, though I can't be sure, that the new version will not require IE at all, since IE is still Trident-based and Maxthon will be Webkit-based.
Maxthon is notable because it goes to extreme lengths to be customizable. It has numerous addons available, all created by the Maxthon user community. Unfortunately for us, due to its focus on the Chinese market, many of these addons have descriptions written in Chinese only. Some have English translations, and some do not. If you can power through the language barrier using a service such as Google Translate, you can install add-ons that will do things like check Gmail for you and send you notifications of new e-mails.
Maxthon takes up very little memory and CPU, especially compared to Firefox. With a whole row of tabs open, Maxthon only took up 66 megabytes of RAM, compared to 246 megabytes for a similar Firefox setup. Maxthon also includes an ad-blocker standard, which offers a welcome respite from the proliferation of advertising across the Internet, especially audio Flash-based ads, the worst kind. Other browsers require a separate install of AdBlock to do so.
Other than the language barrier, Maxthon has a lot going for it. When version 3 arrives, it will have even more to recommend it. It's free and small, so if you're fed up with your existing browser, take it for a test drive.
--Steve Horton
People who downloaded this also downloaded:
Sponsored Links
-
This handy toolbar lets you clip, save and share content from your favorite Web pages.
-
Automate tasks in Firefox with this macro recorder.
-
Simultaneously query mulitiple search engines, newsgroups, and e-mail directories.
-
Cookie manager for browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Gecko
-
Browse your Firefox session visually with thumbnails of recently visited sites.
-
Six different feed presentation styles make this new-reader-on-the-block worth checking out.
-
Cruise the Web for the multimedia files you want and batch download them.
-
On-line reference software for quick info on any word or phrase on your screen.
-
Protect your system and your privacy when surfing the Web.
-
Save time and frustration by saving and archiving Web pages to your hard drive.
-
A news reader with a quick full-screen switch for easy reading.
Dell End of Year Deals
-
Ring in the New Year with Huge Deals on Dell Computers Up to 30% Popular Dell Laptops, up to 25% off Popular Dell Desktops. Sales ends 12/31 5AM EST.
TooManyTabs Firefox Add-on Speeds Up Browsing
Tuck Firefox tabs away in the TooManyTabs toolbar, where they won't eat up your computer's memory.
ScrapBook Saves Snippets From Your Firefox Surfing
Free Firefox addon ScrapBook lets you keep Web articles handy.
If you have questions about finding, downloading, or opening files in our library, you'll probably find the answers here.
SpeedUpMyPC is the award winning utility software that ensures your PC is automatically optimized for maximum performance in just a few easy clicks."/>
- Browse the Downloads Store by Topic
- Security »
- Utilities »
- Graphics & Multimedia »
- Visit the Download Store Home
Most Recent Threads