Six Maxthon Features That You May Find Useful

Melanie Gross
Apr 16, 2012
Updated • Jan 1, 2013
Internet, Windows software
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15

With Maxton's latest version taking over Google Chrome's place in the HTML5 Test, I thought it would be a good idea to offer a closer look at some of the features that the browser has to offer, that other browser's do not at all, or only after installation of extensions.

The browser feels a lot more like SeaMonkey and Opera, and less than the world's current favorites Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox. The core reason for this is that it ships with a set of features that the other browsers do not ship with. While it would take too long to look at all of the differences, I'd like to concentrate on five that should have a large appeal. Lets get started.

2. Take Screenshots

You can use the browser's Snap feature to take a screenshot of a screen region or the whole page. Default Maxthon setups display the Snap icon in the browser's main address bar from where both options can be selected.

take screenshots

If you take a shot of a region you get basic editing options that include highlighting an area, adding text, arrows or blur effects to the screenshot before it can be saved to the local computer system.

3. Night Mode

If you prefer colors that are less bright to the eye (at night) use Maxthon's Night Mode for that. It basically changes the style of all web pages that you visit to darker tones. And if you do not like the brown-golden design, you can customize it to your liking.

maxthon night mode

Even better, you can configure Night Mode to kick in at a specific time, and have the browser return to normal display mode later on.

4. Resource Sniffer Downloads

If you download files regularly, you may like the browser's Resource Sniffer as it may make that process more convenient. A list of files available on the page is displayed in the Resource Sniffer when it is opened. Next to a listing of all files are filters for video, audio and image files, which can be selected and downloaded with just two clicks.

resource sniffer

5. Note Taking

Use Maxthon SkyNote to take notes in the browser. The notes module comes with synchronization options which require a Maxthon Passport account to sync (which is free to sign up for and use).

note taking

6. Switch Between Webkit and Trident

Maxthon ships with two rendering engines. First Webkit which builds the core of Google Chrome and Safari, and then Trident which is Internet Explorer's rendering engine. Maxthon users can switch between the two, for instance to access pages that IE displays correctly, but the Webkit browser does not. A lightning symbol in the address bar indicates that Webkit is being used.

Closing Words

The developers have put some thought into the browser, and added features to it that a lot of users will find useful. The browser has more to offer, from extension and theme support to regular updates, an RSS reader or the option to launch external operating system tools straight from the browser interface.  Even if you are not ready yet to give it a try or switch to it, it is a browser to keep an eye on.

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Comments

  1. Kranthi said on July 30, 2012 at 10:43 am
    Reply

    I am using IE9 skin for Maxthon browser is very good. Give it a try..

  2. Sylvie Froleau said on April 23, 2012 at 10:42 pm
    Reply

    Hi everyone!

    What I don’t like about the download/save option is that I can not delete the whole list of the things that I’ve already downloaded before..

    Even if I uncheck every title of the files that I’ve already downloaded before, (through the “save all” (bottom left of the list) there is no option to DELETE the whole list, just the “save all” and “settings” options are on the bottom of the list (the “save all” is at the bottom left and the “settings” is at the bottom right of the list.

    That is why I don’t use the Maxthon download/save option anymore…

    I wish there was an option to DELETE the whole list, now, I’m stuck with a list of at least 50 files that I’ve already downloaded.

    There is no DELETE for a “one by one” file neither.

    And the “Clear Browser History” does not delete the files from that “download/save” option (the pop up/save option.

  3. Elben said on April 17, 2012 at 4:09 pm
    Reply

    I like Firefox the best. Firefox is deficient in nothing. You have add-ons for almost everything. You can download videos from almost all the sites in firefox with an add-on but I am going to download Maxthon for the Night mode because I sit on my computer for long at night.

  4. Yoav said on April 17, 2012 at 2:50 pm
    Reply

    Just downloaded and beginning to try Maxthon. At first glance it seems to be a combination of Opera and Firefox, with a lot of very useful features and a clean interface. I’m liking it, for now.

  5. Jim said on April 17, 2012 at 2:12 pm
    Reply

    It sounds interesting, but wonder how many compatibility issues I would encounter. I still have occasional problems with FF, enough that I have to keep IE Tab installed. I can see where a “niche” browser like this could be much worse. Anyone have issues like this?

    1. dev said on April 17, 2012 at 5:06 pm
      Reply

      Read more carefully point 6 in this article.

  6. Victent said on April 17, 2012 at 10:55 am
    Reply

    Maxthon and Avant browser are the wo browsers I like which full of userful features,don’t like chrome and firefox browser that just has some basic features if don’t use add-ons.
    I prefer the “take screenshot” feature in maxthon, it’s more powerful than Avant while Avant’s one more rendering engine than maxthon, Apart from trident and webkit, it also has gecko. Both the sniffer downloaders in the two browser are good.

  7. boris said on April 17, 2012 at 4:33 am
    Reply

    Nothing that you can not get in Firefox or Chrome through extensions.

    1. hapkido said on April 23, 2012 at 1:42 am
      Reply

      Remember Extensions/Addons slow down your browser and performance . Out of the box features dont. :)

  8. cyberguy91 said on April 17, 2012 at 2:59 am
    Reply

    I had to chuckle when I read Maxathon in the title. I remember when Maxathon was just a crappy frontend for Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6. =)

    I did try out the portable version, and was quite impressed. I saw some of my favorite features from Chrome and from Safari, combined in one browser. Not sure if it’s enough to persuade me to set it as default, but impressive nonetheless.

  9. Damirora said on April 17, 2012 at 12:09 am
    Reply

    Firefox has a feature like the “Resource Sniffer Downloads”.

    Right click, View Page Info, on the Media tab it list them out, and you can sort by type. It then asks you what folder you want to download your selection.

    I like that Maxthon has a night mode by default. I had to make one for Firefox using Scriptish/GreaseMonkey )’:

  10. Saman said on April 16, 2012 at 11:57 pm
    Reply

    is there any xmarks alternative for maxthon?

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on April 17, 2012 at 8:35 am
      Reply

      Well you can sync your data with their service. Or what are you specifically looking for?

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