Do tabs use less memory than a new window?

Question

Is it more memory efficient to use a tab rather than a new browser window?

Answer 1

Good question....Yes TABS are more memory efficient than opening a new browser...i will explain..

A new browser window has the potential to be a new running process with its own memory allocation that must manage its own connection, icons in the toolbar, etc....that is using extra memory...Most operating systems today have this cool feature of "threading" which essentially means the browser doesnt necessarily have to be a new process but an extension of an existing process and so although it looks like a new browser window it is based on the first one that is running. This makes things very memory efficient.....but still, the tabs are more memory efficient when you take that into account

Answer 2

Good question! I really believe they do. I have two laptops and on one I am constantly doing tabs, 6 or 8 per window, and never keep more then two windows at one time open. I have no problems.
On my other laptop I'll have 8 windows open at once. because my broser has no tab option and I ocasionaly get a running low on memory message. The two laptops equal each other in processor memory ect..

Answer 3

with the size of hard drives and how cheap they are i don't see why you care.