OPERA GX BROWSER REVIEW
PROS Ease of use
Maintains gaming performance by limiting CPU and RAM utilization.
Integration of Twitch and Discord
VPN and ad blocker built in.
The desktop and mobile versions are connected through Bluetooth.
CONS
Unpleasant and garish visuals
Isn't easy to reach some functions quickly
Opera is the most logical company to produce a web browser for gaming. Opera distinguishes itself from its competitors by introducing novel features that become industry standards in the future. Opera once created browsers for the Nintendo DS and Wii, which had no business being connected to the internet in the first place. The Opera GX browser is designed with PC gamers in mind, including features that improve gameplay without interfering with the games' performance.
Serving simple web games that run in a browser is not what we're talking about here. We're talking about retaining access to high-end PC games, namely, AAA titles that make heavy use of your computer's processing capacity. Even if the purpose of Opera GX is to be an accessory browser for gamers, it succeeds in accomplishing it.
Assisting You with Using Opera GX
Both Windows 10 and macOS are supported by Opera GX. Opera GX features an Android and iOS app, just like the regular Opera browser. After downloading the 3.5MB installer, launching the browser is quick and easy.
Opera GX has a look that says, "Yes, this is a browser for gamers." This is probably the first thing you'll notice about it. It's not uncommon for marketers to label their products as "gaming-friendly" by painting them in bright, neon hues, from seats to mice to PC casings. The interface of Opera GX pulses with bright outlines on a black background, like something out of the future from the 1980s may have looked like. Color themes like Ultraviolet and Purple Haze can be swapped out for a new effect.
If you're a gamer, Opera GX's graphics aren't going to blow your mind like some other applications that caters to gamers. In spite of this, Opera GX is still a tad over the top. I prefer that my web browsers blend into the background so that the content on the page may take center stage. As a result, the technicolor icons that surrounded the information became a source of constant distraction for me. You may set Opera GX to automatically switch to dark mode whenever you visit a page that supports it. Switching to dark websites will make your browser look cleaner and more cohesive.
Opera GX is a multi-sensory experience that includes sound as well as vision. For a long time, video game soundtracks have used ambient electronic music that dynamically varies dependent on what you're doing. The background music became more pulsating and dramatic while I worked on this review—quickly scribbling out notes and snapping screenshots. After that, it became more serene as I relaxed. It's cool, and because there are no vocals, the music doesn't distract you. If you want to work in silence, you can turn off the music or lower the volume.
I had no problem using Opera GX as a modern web browser once I got acclimated to its Mountain Dew-like look. WebXPRT 3 gave it a score of 193 points, the same as the normal Opera browser. HTML5test gave Opera GX a compatibility score of 523 out of 555. When it comes to speed and web-friendliness, Opera GX has an edge over its competitors like Firefox (205, 491), Google Chrome (182, 528), and Microsoft Edge (206, 491). (179, 535).
Feature, Feature, and More Feature!
This browser offers so many capabilities that it's hard to pick a standout one. The majority of this functionality comes from the standard Opera browser, but it's just as helpful here. Using the "Early Access" model popularized by games, Opera GX occasionally introduces experimental features.
The homepage of Speed Dial has been redesigned with gamers in mind. A gaming news feed and a release-date calendar, which you can personalize with your preferred platforms, are also included, along with a search bar and links to related websites. With the picture-in-picture video pop-up, you may check out free games or watch trailers.
If you're concerned about your privacy online, you may use GX's built-in VPN and ad blocker to protect yourself. America, Asia, and Europe are all accessible via the VPN. To complete your cyberpunk look, you'll want to link your phone up to a computer so you can access your cryptocurrency wallet.
Creating new windows and tabs is only the beginning of what your organization software can do for you. It is easy to create, save and access different Workspaces with all of the pages you need in a single sidebar. Messenger programs like Facebook Messenger, Twitter Messenger, and WhatsApp Messenger may all be integrated directly into the sidebar. Using Opera GX, you can categorize your downloads by file type and have it automatically suggest which recent items to include in an email without having to visit another menu.
Extensions can be used to further enhance the capabilities of Opera GX. The plugin I found works great, despite the fact that there is no Reader View by default. In addition, I store intriguing articles for later viewing using the Pocket plugin. The extension buttons show in the address bar, where you can also bookmark pages and capture screenshots, as well as add extensions.
Each of these functions is easy to use and does exactly what it says on the tin. But it's the sheer number of them that truly catches your attention. It's more than a little disconcerting. Because there are so many options to choose from, I had a hard time finding the characteristics I was looking for. Fortunately, you can frequently access the same features in numerous parts, so no matter which path you follow, you'll get there in the end. When in doubt, go to Settings and run a search.
While Playing a Video Game, You Can Browse the Web
Closing a browser before playing a PC game is an easy technique to improve performance because modern browsers can eat up so much memory. When it comes to gaming, Opera GX's most important features are focused on keeping the browser out of the way.
Opera GX provides you with a wealth of information and tools to help you discover and fix any performance issues. As with Chrome's task manager, this is similar to having a task manager incorporated within the browser. Optimize your computer's performance by removing unnecessary files from the browser. Consider battery life when using a laptop for gaming. Find and kill the most resource-consuming tabs. Even without any additional configuration, Opera GX took up around half the memory space of Chrome. It's also possible to limit CPU, RAM, and network bandwidth utilization to specific percentages. For the sake of video games, you'll compromise browser speed and performance, but you'll have more room.
Opera GX didn't have as much of an impact on gaming performance as other browsers did in my tests. Occasionally, there was no deterioration in performance. And I did witness small frame-rate gains after setting the toughest memory limitations on games like the recent edible bug adventure Bugsnax that were impacted while the browser was active. However, keep in mind that your GPU is often the bottleneck that deteriorates the visual quality of PC games. Opera GX is unable to stop it.
So, if you're gaming on a second monitor, you may leave Opera GX running. Use your phone's browser to open a strategy guide. Make use of the built-in Discord and Twitch apps to communicate with your friends and live-stream your adventures.
Vivaldi (developed by one of the developers of Opera and one of our favorite alternative web browsers) interacts with Razer products to sync Chroma color illumination to whichever page you visit. If you're a fan of Opera GX, you'll probably like this browser even more. New Vivaldia, a retro, cyberpunk, arcade game, has been added to Vivaldi's browser as part of a new update. Unlike, example, Chrome's dinosaur-themed Easter egg, Vivaldia offers offline play and even supports game controllers. Aside from Opera GX's more direct focus on gamers, Vivaldi still has a lot to offer in terms of privacy and tab reordering options for those who prefer to play games on the go.
Using Opera GX on Mobile
You can now play your favorite games on the go with the Android or iOS app for Opera GX. An iPhone 12 was used in my testing.
As with the desktop version, you'll be able to customize your app's look and feel by selecting a color scheme. With the Speed Dial, you can keep track of forthcoming games, news and bargains on the homepage. With this app, you can also block advertisements and pop-ups, and prevent hackers from turning your phone into a cryptocurrency miner.
The mobile version of Opera GX has two alternative modes of navigating. Standard interfaces have a static row of all the buttons at the bottom. At the bottom of your screen is a single button that you can hold to open a radial menu. The haptic feedback is nice, and it may be speedier in the long run, but I found it less intuitive.
Flow may be the most useful cellphone function. When using the mobile Opera GX browser, it is possible to sync it with the desktop version using Flow. Just scan the QR code on your desktop. As soon as your devices are connected, you may view tabs from one device on the other and start a chat window to share notes and files (of up to 10MB each) between your phone and computer.
Surfing the Web in the Digital Age
Even though I work from home, I've found myself feeling a little embarrassed about utilizing my own PC gaming machine to compose simple text documents. There is a similar sense of excess while using Opera GX. However, the browser's feature set is a lot of fun regardless of whether or not you think it's absolutely necessary. Opera GX's ability to adapt to the needs of PC gamers is a testament to the browser's claim to be an ideal companion. You may play games and browse the web without worrying about Opera GX getting in the way.
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