Opera GX for Linux is way more than great gaming browser – here’s why


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ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • Opera has released its gaming-centric browser for Linux.
  • With Opera GX, you get plenty of killer features for everyday use.
  • Opera GX is free to install and use.

I use a lot of web browsers. I test/review even more. And given that I spend most of my day on Linux, I’m always looking for new browsers that are available to the open-source OS.

That’s why when the Opera team reached out to me to let me know that its GX browser was now available for Linux, I jumped at the chance to try it out.

I’ve used Opera GX on Android and found it to be one of the coolest mobile browsers on the market. Between the mods, the fast-action button, GX Corner, shake to change theme, and My Flow, Opera GX mobile quickly became the mobile browser to beat for me.

Does Opera GX on Linux stand up to that rather high bar? Let’s find out.

First impressions

After installing Opera GX, I fired it up and walked through the impressive onboarding wizard, where I was able to customize the browser to meet my specifications. I couldn’t help but immediately jump into the Mods market and spend some time going through the thousands of mods that are available. Yes, a vast majority of the mods are gaming and anime-related, but there are some really cool options available. Some of the mods are just themes, while others offer different types of additions. I even came across one (called Lofi Chill), which adds chill beats to the browser. Not gonna lie, it’s as cool as it is chill.

Also: I’ve been testing the top AI browsers – here’s which ones actually impressed me

If you’re thinking Opera GX is all form and no function, think again.

Opera GX has several other features that make it stand out.

GX Control

The GX Controller is a unique feature that gives you power over memory limits, network limits, hot tabs control (tabs that are using a lot of system resources), and a CPU limiter. With these features, you control how much system resources Opera GX (and rendered websites) can use. GX Control is accessed by clicking the top icon in the left sidebar.

Opera GX on Linux.

GX Control gives you control over how websites use system resources.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

For example, if I want to limit Opera GX to only 5GB of RAM, I can do that. I can set that as a hard or soft limit. I can also limit the bandwidth used by Opera.

My favorite feature in GX Control is the ability to easily kill tabs that are using too many system resources (either CPU or RAM). For example, if I have several tabs open and the browser starts to slow down, I can open the GX Control sidebar, scroll down to Hot Tabs Killer, locate the site causing the problem, and kill it by hovering my mouse over the listing and clicking the associated X. This feature alone makes Opera GX worth using. 

GX Cleaner

Cleaners are often rather controversial because so many of them don’t really do as promised. Those that do work (such as Bleachbit) make it easy for users to clean various caches. With the Opera GX Cleaner, you can quickly clean things like cache, cookies, tabs, browsing history, downloads, and sidebar icons.

Opera GX.

You can clean all sorts of things from one handy location.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

Also: I ditched Google Chrome for a free local browser on my Pixel, and I’d happily pay a premium for it

GX Cleaner is accessed by clicking the second icon from the top on the Opera GX sidebar. Once open, you can enable/disable the items that the feature can clean. By default, it only cleans the browser cache, but if you want, you can enable other options.

Shaders

And then there are the Shaders, which apply real-time GPU-powered filters to your browser to enhance the visual effects on all websites. The Opera GX Shaders can change colors, reduce blue light, and improve contrast to customize your browsing experience.

Opera GX

Shaders change the way your browser looks, so test them out and see if one fits your style and/or needs.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

There are a few shaders available by default, such as ShiftFX, MidnightFX, FadeFX, BoostFX, MonoCore, and DuoFX. You can also click “Get more” to search the Opera GX marketplace for even more Shaders.

Also: 5 reasons why Opera is my favorite browser (and you should check it out too)

On top of all the gaming features (and games to be played), there are also all the usual Opera features to be found, such as Workspaces, Aria AI, and more. 

I’m so glad that Opera has finally released its GX browser to Linux. Even though it’s making it challenging to decide if I want to use the regular Opera or GX as my default, having the option has made me a happy Linux user.

You can download the installer file (for Debian/Ubuntu and Fedora-based distributions) from the official Opera GX page and level up your browsing experience right away.





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Michelin is a French multinational company that many consumers consider to be one of the most satisfying major tire brands. This firm makes several tire models that offer comfort, performance, all-terrain prowess, and everything in between — including cutting-edge products like the $42,000-per-set Michelin Pilot Sport PAX that it developed specifically for the Bugatti Veyron. Aside from its own tires, Michelin also owns other tire brands that you might be familiar with, including BFGoodrich, Achilles, and Corsa.

While tires are what Michelin is known for, the company has put its name to more than the rubber that wraps around your car’s rims. In fact, the company sells several other products that aren’t tires. So, we’re listing a few Michelin-branded items that you can buy online and in retail stores. While they might not all be made of rubber or even related to vehicles, these tools and accessories can come in handy when keeping your car — and even yourself — in good shape.

Michelin tire inflator

Since Michelin is primarily known for its tires, it makes sense for the company to sell a Michelin-branded tire inflator as well. That way, if you get a flat on one of the Michelin tires on your car or want to regularly top up your car’s tire pressure to maintain optimum performance, you can use a Michelin-branded pump to fill up your tires. The company actually sells several types of inflators on its Amazon page, but it only offers a single motorized unit — the Michelin Micro Tyre Inflator, which is available on Amazon for $98.99.

This little device is only slightly wider than an iPhone 17 and weighs about 400 grams, or 14 ounces. This means it’s easy to store in your car and to move to whichever tire needs topping up. More importantly, it takes power from a 12-volt socket, allowing you to run it using your car’s battery. It also has a USB port for charging your phone (or any other USB device) in case of an emergency.

Some users say that the device is slow, taking about 12 minutes to bring a tire from 10 to 32 PSI, but that’s not unexpected given its small size. Still, it should be good enough for regular weekly maintenance if you know your car’s proper tire pressure, or in case of an emergency. Its biggest downside is that you need a power source to run it, but having a dead battery and a flat tire simultaneously is likely a rare occurrence in many modern cars.

Michelin mini fridge

Taking a road trip during the summer can get you thirsty, and there’s no better way to quench that thirst than by drinking a cool can of soda (or your beverage of choice). If you want to ensure that you’ll always have a cold drink ready while you’re driving on the freeway, Michelin’s mini fridge will help you with that. This nifty little refrigerator is available on Amazon for just $99.99 and can be connected to either 110V AC or 12V DC power, ensuring that it will work on both your desk and in your car.

The mini fridge measures 6.9 x 9.45 x 10 inches (17.5 x 24 x 25.4 cm), meaning it can easily fit on a garage shelf or office desk. It should also be small enough to put on the floor of your car. Despite that relatively small size, it’s large enough to fit six 350-ml cans or four 500-ml bottles, and it will keep these items at a chilly 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 degrees Celsius. It also has an LED light on the door, so it can double as a night light if necessary.

Aside from keeping your drinks (and other food items) below room temperature, it also has a few other creature comforts. These include a removable shelf and door basket for flexibility and easy cleaning, as well as a retractable carry handle and a self-locking door to make transportation easier.

Michelin car floor mats

Heavy-duty car floor mats are often made from rubber for durability and water resistance, and since Michelin is in the business of rubber, it makes sense for the company to offer exactly that. So, if you want to protect your vehicle’s floor from dirt, dust, and mud, the company can help you with its Michelin all-weather car floor mats. This four-piece package is available on Amazon for $49.99 and comes in either black or tan.

The surface of these floor mats is specially designed to trap debris, snow, and water, preventing them from ruining the carpet on your vehicle. The mats have a cleat backing that grips your car’s floor and prevents them from slipping. The front row mats also come with what Michelin calls a Gripclip Retention System, allowing them to clip into your vehicle’s safety clips and adding even more reassurance that they won’t accidentally slip while you’re driving and pose a hazard to your safety.

These mats are universal and will work in most vehicles. However, they’re also easy to customize: If you find them a bit too large for the footwell of your tiny hatchback, you can use a pair of scissors to trim the edges for a perfect fit.

Michelin Stealth Ultra wiper blades

While Michelin’s Stealth Ultra wiper blades aren’t generally considered among the best windshield wipers, they appear to be a pretty good choice given their four-star rating on Amazon. These wipers cost $49.99 and are available in various size combinations for all sorts of cars. This ensures that no matter what vehicle you’re driving, you can probably find a set that will fit your needs.

These Michelin wipers are curved to conform to the shape of your windscreen for a clean, streak-free wipe. The company’s Amazon listing claims that these are designed to “withstand rain, wind, snow, mud, dust, or any other debris that might hamper your windshield’s visibility.” While you might think that windshield wipers are pretty simple items, and that you can just purchase any generic wipers off the internet, you must remember that they’re essential so that you have the best visibility possible during inclement weather. So, for your safety, consider investing in a set from a reputable brand like Michelin.

Michelin work boots

Michelin is known for making rubber tires to put on your car’s “feet,” but did you know it also makes shoes for the driver’s feet? The company makes sports & outdoor footwear, as well as shoes for work and safety. For this example, we have the Michelin HydroEdge Steel Toe waterproof work boot, listed for $210 on Amazon and at Georgia Boot. This shoe is available in U.S. sizes from 7.5 up to 14, ensuring that no matter what size you wear, you can get a Michelin work boot for yourself.

As the name suggests, this pair of shoes has steel toes to protect your feet from accidental impacts and is fully waterproof to help keep your feet dry, even in supposedly severe conditions. It also meets ASTM F2413 standards for electrical protection, meaning it has fully insulating soles to protect you from electrical hazards at work. Michelin also added what it calls an Advanced Rear Suspension system to its heel, ensuring proper shock absorption when you walk.





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