Google Chrome 117.0.5938.88 / 118.0.5993.11 Dev

Overview

Google Chrome for Linux is a blessing for Linux users because not every web browser makes it over to the less used operating system. It is difficult to get good software made for various distributions of Linux like Mint, Ubuntu or Debian because they each require something a little different to function properly.

The Chrome web browser functions much the same as it does on other platforms with its simple layout, multi-purpose address bar which can be used for Google searches and to enter web addresses, and multi-tabbed interface. Tabs can be saved through the Chrome cloud interface much like they can with other versions, so tabs opened in Linux can be viewed just as easily on other Chrome versions which keep updated in the same way.

Chrome extensions are a main stay of all versions of Chrome and move of them are compatible with the Linux version here. A few are Mac or Windows only because they take advantage of specific features only available on that particular platform, but in most cases extension work on all desktop versions of the Google browser.

Installation

Google Chrome for Linux is usually available through the package repository for the particular flavor of Linux being run. It is also possible to download the appropriate installer package from Google with a .deb package for Ubuntu and Debian Linux operating systems and a .rpm file for openSUSE and Fedora.

Interface

The interface for the Linux version of Chrome is really no different to the Windows and Mac versions. The white clean lines, wide address bar that will function as both a search bar and a web address point, and the gear icon to the right which accesses the settings. The tab scroll buttons on either side of the row of open browser tabs will let the user scroll through the open tabs if they extend beyond the width of the viewing window.

The back, forward and reload icon buttons are to the left of the address bar. Any extensions added to the browser will usually display as an icon to the right of the address bar. Right or left clicking over an extension icon will usually bring up a menu or a window with more options connected to the functionality of that Chrome extension.

Pros

• Fast web browser on the Linux platform
• Compatible with other versions of Chrome on the desktop and also on mobile
• Incognito mode supported for more private browsing
• Most Chrome extensions will run on Linux version of Chrome
• Sync to Chrome cloud to have the same tabs open in Google Chrome for Linux as are already open in Windows or Mac
• Free app

Cons

No great at memory management when too many tabs are open because each tab uses a separate Windows process which is more stable but is memory hungry.

Google monitors internet usage and changes the ads displayed which can be a little disturbing at times

Alternatives

Firefox Browser for Linuxis a good alternative.

Conclusion

Google Chrome for Linux is a useful mainstream piece of software that has made its way over to Linux much to the delight of fans of this web browser.