Most modern browsers work by showing graphical menus, big toolbars, and running lots of features in the background. For many people, this is okay, but for those who want a faster way to work using only the keyboard, there is not much left to do. Besides, students, developers, and other technical users more often than not spend most of the day using the browser. It can be an additional burden if one has to keep reaching for the mouse while doing the most ordinary tasks. Here is why qutebrowser is radically different. Not concentrating much on the visual controls, it is all about keyboard navigation and commands. Though it is a fully functional browser, it follows the spirit of terminal tools. It thus results in a browsing mode that is lightweight, focused, and minimal without a doubt once users get used to its workflow.
Keyboard for Browsing the Whole Day
The key thing in qutebrowser is navigation, which is done mainly through the keyboard. Taking Vim as an example, a user can do almost all operations with just a few keystrokes. One does not have to get the mouse if one wants to open a link, change tabs, search a page, or check the history.
For those who are used to command-based software, this way turns out to be very effective. When muscle memory is formed, browsing is almost instantaneous and highly enjoyable. Even fairly simple stuff like scrolling a long article or moving between search results is done via quick and easy tunings.
On the flip side, this type of interaction can be quite strange initially. The majority of new users will at least have to pick up the basic commands and key bindings. But the complete learning curve should not scare anyone, particularly those who already use a keyboard in coding or productivity scenarios.
Minimal but Highly Customizable
Another highly noticeable aspect of qutebrowser is the minimal resource usage. It is a generally accepted fact that compared to big-name browsers, qutebrowser consumes fewer CPU/memory resources, doing fewer background tasks. So even on rather average Windows machines, it can perform very well when multiple tabs are open.
Not only that, customization is a very important part of the browser’s concept as well. Almost anything can be set differently via config files or commands. This is why users are free to set their own key bindings, page behavior, or look without compromises.
For a technically competent individual, this is the one feature that stands out the most because the tiniest of tweaks can make for an extremely comfortable working environment, especially for those with the longest of sessions. However, configuring the browser is more of a command-line-type experience than a graphical one. Those wanting point-and-click stuff will find it less convenient.
Prospective Role in the Ecosystem of Browsers
For the most part of the day, and with the most common tasks such as research work, documentation reading, and individual browsing, qutebrowser as a web browser and its interface will stay mostly invisible. It will let users focus on the content of the page rather than on the browser.
On the other hand, it may not be suitable in some situations, and one should take it into account. Some websites that have been designed for a major browser may behave in a different way. For those who do not use a mouse/pointer very often, the lack of graphical controls may be felt as a limitation. Those who rely on extensions and other visual browser tools may be better off with the traditional big-name browsers.
Nevertheless, for those who appreciate simplicity and keyboard speed, qutebrowser can really stand out as something different.
Great Match for Keyboard-Only Kind of Users
qutebrowser is a perfect fit only for those users who are into speed, control, and a clean interface. Research students, programmers checking what the docs say, and really hardcore users who do everything with a keyboard will most definitely get the best out of the browser.
In fact, it is probably not going to be able to replace big-name browsers for everyone. But for quite a few people, fortunately, it is able to carry out one particular task quite amazingly. Getting used to its command-based way of working, the user will really get going. Picking key strokes deliberately and enjoying the absence of clutter very much.