The Maxthon Alternative »
It seems like a number of people are talking about the Maxthon browser in the last couple of days. At a glance, the features look to be okay. So naturally, I decided to try it out.
The download, installation, startup and even browsing speed are good. Very quick in every respect. Probably even better than Firefox in most. So I moved on to usability.
I like the tab browsing. In fact, the default tab controls in Maxthon appear to be even better than those in Firefox. Not that those in Firefox are bad - just that the controls in Maxthon are... impressive. Would I use them? I don't think so. But it's a big list, nonetheless, and some people like having something bigger than the other guy.
In fact, that's the impression I'm left with after trying Maxthon for a bit. This thing has options like you would not believe, and it also appears to support a form of extension with add-ons. That's really cool, and I may look at it in more detail. But for now, there is just so much to it that I find it overwhelming.
Especially because I didn't care for the basic browsing experience. I think their implementation is decent, but there were so many things that I couldn't figure out, and the options that might control what I need to do are so huge, I just decided to leave it be for right now.
A couple of peeves did come to light immediately. I was unable to drag and drop anything - even from the address bar to the bookmark bar within Maxthon. I can understand (perhaps) not being able to drag from Firefox, but within the browser itself?
I also was unable to figure out how to have as much tab control as with Firefox. I like being able to middle-click and open new links in a new tab. I can turn on all links to open in new tabs in Maxthon, but then they open in the background and I have to select them.
Finally, the popup blocking doesn't work as well as it does with Firefox. The very first page I visited had a popup that was not blocked by Maxthon, even though I had turned on all the popup-blocking functions that I could find.
In the end, it just didn't feel as comfortable as Firefox. But I'll keep my eyes on it. The browser does hold promise - it just strikes me that perhaps they are trying to do too much, to be all things to all people. Maybe I'm in the minority, but Firefox fits the bill for me just fine.
Update: On a related note, the only thing that bugs me about Firefox is that it doesn't do a particularly good job about blocking "floater" ads. The ones that walk, drop or slide across the screen. I think these are Flash-based, but I'm not certain. And I don't know that Maxthon blocks them either. But if I could get Firefox to do that, I'd be joyous. Anyone know of anything that will work against these bad boys?
Update: At least some are Javascript-based, and disabling Javascript will take care of the problem. The issue with that is that some Javascript is okay. The formatting buttons I use while composing this entry, for example. Perhaps just disabling the window.onload event would do it.
Comments (17)
Well, something you metioned could be configured in Maxthon's option panel, but indeed, there are too many option fields. :P
Give it some more time, you will find it very helpful. Its popup blocker, ActiveX control blocker blocks so many annoying stuff. But as you said, we cannot drag and drop something to its side-bar, and it's said the maxthon developers are solving it.
As for me, though maxthon uses IE's control to render web pages, it's a replacement for IE.
Posted by Jerome Jar on March 2, 2005 9:14 AM
I think, if I were using it for the first time as an alternate to IE, I would probably like it. But one of the things I love about Firefox is the simplicity. I find that it does things very well, and it doesn't overload me.
If I want extra functionality, I can have it by installing extensions. If I don't, I leave them out. With Maxthon, I feel I am getting everything, including the kitchen sink. For now, anyway, I think Firefox will remain my browser of choice.
Posted by Chad Everett on March 2, 2005 4:56 PM
Sometimes I don't think simplicity is a good reason when choosing an application for use, especially for some one who is skilled in computer, like a system admin, a developer. :)
For daily use, I usually demand the ability to customize nearly everything rather than double-click on the icon and watch what's going on. And that's why I don't like the M$ stuff, they just hide nearly everything.
Sounds like we are on opposite sides to applications. :)
Indeed, Firefox is excellent, and no one else shall need IE if all the web pages are written or generated in the standard way.
Posted by Jerome Jar on March 3, 2005 7:58 AM
To block float ad in Firefox, you can install an extension - Adblock. You will like it.
Posted by Sonic on March 3, 2005 10:58 PM
Well, I like firefox and I know Adblock, too. I was and am not saying Maxthon is better than Firefox, for they are on different ways.
Most common users are lazy. You would probably spend hours persuading them to use Firefox, and meanwhile they may be asking "How can I block floating ads?" "How can I subscribe to an rss feed?" and something similar, then how could we reply? "The adblock extension." "Sage". etc...
The point is: sometimes they even do not want to spend one second browsing those categories of extension, which we may consider to be very clear and easy.
That is, Maxthon tries to handle everything, yet leaves enough(or not enough) controlability, and Firefox leaves enough space for users to do what they want, not just customize but also modify it. Which way is better? May the best win. :)
Posted by Jerome Jar on March 4, 2005 10:24 AM
Gettting most folks to use ANY updated browser would be a feat... nevermind something "undiscovered" like Maxthon
Posted by Rob A. on March 4, 2005 12:34 PM
I have to say that Adblock does seem promising. However, it takes, at least at this point, some work to make it, well, work. I don't like that. I'd really like to just be able to turn on something that always turned off that sort of thing. I will definitely keep my eye on it though.
Posted by Chad Everett on March 5, 2005 8:32 AM
Jerome, surprisingly I don't think we're on opposite sides at all. I just think we look at things differently. I like simplicity because I don't like to mess with things. I'm lazy. That said, I like the ability to make the changes - I just don't want every change known to man.
I like that Firefox does its job and does it well. Also that I can install things to make it work exactly like I want. What I don't like is having every option possible, to the point that you can't tell what is goign on, and that's the feeling I get from Maxthon. Just too busy for my tastes.
Posted by Chad Everett on March 5, 2005 8:34 AM
Yes, I like the simplicity firefox brings to me, and together with the ability to extend it.
Maxthon is made in China, and I'm a Chinese, so I suppose I know why Maxthon is made like this. Most users on Windows like Maxthon, tabbed browsing makes it eat less RAM, ads and activex blocking makes the people using it feel safe, those are what most people want, but not all, because other "EXPERT"s want more controllability over Maxthon, in order to make them seem to be an "EXPERT". There are so many such "EXPERT". You can see this in Maxthon's forum. So many requests look like "I want to customize this" and "I want to customize that", but what most users really want is just what Firefox can bring. Nevermind when you ask an "EXPERT" whether he has tried Firefox and he says "NO" :)
Well, I'm really despaired about that...
Posted by Jerome Jar on March 7, 2005 9:56 PM
After going wild about Firefox (even buying their coffee mugs) I began to be really annoyed at so many web sites where I had to use the "view this page in IE" extension. So I gave Maxthon a try and... it's a faster (yes faster) and better browser than Firefox. Plus, it crashes a lot less (yes less) than Firefox. I have no problems with Maxthon in middle-clicking links to open in a new tab, the popup-blocker is at least as good as Firefox's, and drag-and-drop works just fine. Security? I have a good firewall ans so far neither spyware nor virus infections have appeared (none) since I stopped using Firefox. So it's Maxthon for me.
Posted by John Batz on April 21, 2005 8:23 PM
"I also was unable to figure out how to have as much tab control as with Firefox. I like being able to middle-click and open new links in a new tab. I can turn on all links to open in new tabs in Maxthon, but then they open in the background and I have to select them."
You can change this quite easily. In order to open a new tab, all you have to do is double click the open space where the tabs are located. You can also make it activate all new tabs, go to options, tabs, and click new tab - activate new window. Then it won't open in the background. The way I use Maxthon, any time I want to open a link in a new, active tab, I simply click on the link and drag it to somewhere on the page, it doesn't matter where...and it opens in a new window. I also have the customizable mouse action set up (something Firefox can't do) so to close a current window, I simply hold the right mouse button and click the left, closing the window. These functions have made Maxthon an easy choice for me.
Posted by Scott Weber on June 20, 2005 2:45 PM
Scott, thank you for the information - but you actually missed the first point, that I like to middle-click to open tabs. I don't know if your instructions will allow for that with other options that are available, but it isn't apparent - and naturally, I don't have Maxthon installed to test out. If it's possible, feel free to let me know and when I get a chance to play with it again, I will do so. Thanks again.
Posted by Chad Everett on June 20, 2005 8:54 PM
Well Maxthon was always built for the power user while Firefox aims to cater to more general users. I'm talking about the out of the box experience here. Maxthon can be customized to provide a simpler, cleaner interface and Firefox can be beefed up with extensions to become more powerful (I use both browsers, I have only 1 plug-in installed for Maxthon, but have 15 extensions and 1 theme installed for Firefox -- you guessed it - I'm a power user).
Since the out of the box intents are different, I think it's unfair to compare them at that level. For power users I believe Maxthon is the best browser (if they're on Windows that is). You'll find most of the features you need, and plug-ins can provide the stuff thats not there. Most of the third-party plug-ins and applications that work with IE also work with Maxthon and so you have an added source of extensions there.
If it's IE you don't like, well then Maxthon can also use the Mozilla rendering engine! Support for the Mozilla engine is built in, but you need to download and install the Mozilla ActiveX Control. Try this blog entry to see exactly how you can do this.
Posted by Gautam Kachru on August 13, 2005 5:53 AM
I`ve been using Mathon for a few months and i really like it . I`ve tried all the "other" browsers and this one works best with netscape isp.
Posted by Joel on September 11, 2005 9:07 AM
Hi, I agree with Maxthon is filled with options, and might be a bit overwhelming in the beginning. We are working on making it more accessable to all and ease-up the UI a bit. We will soon be releaseing Maxthon 2.0 which is going to be a major upgrade, as a matter of fact it is really a total re-build. The choice of browser you make is really up to you, however, in order to really appreciate the full beauty of Maxthon, you need to give it some time. I had to too. But it is well worth the time. All the best and good luck with what ever you choose.
Netanel Jacobsson, SVP & Partner, Maxthon.
Posted by Netanel Jacobsson on February 26, 2006 3:56 AM
As mentioned you can open a link in a new tab (middle click in FF) by simply clicking a link and dragging it in any direction a few millimeters. Easy.
Maxthon also has extensions by the way, but I find that everything I could want in in the options anyway.
Trouble with FF is you have to go hunting and installing extensions for every little thing, such as drag and drop toolbars .... Grrr. Maxthon for me any day
Posted by Pandit on June 25, 2006 9:43 PM
Drag and drop toolbars? You mean so you can drag and drop icons on the toolbars around? I have to say that's a feature I'd rarely, if ever, use.
If I absolutely have to change the position, I'd just pull up the customize dialog, add and remove as necessary to get things in the right position, and not worry about it. :)
As mentioned in the original entry - Maxthon's just too bloated for my taste. But to each their own.
Posted by Chad Everett on June 26, 2006 7:36 AM