Google Looking to Trim the Fat from Chrome

Over the course of its rapid progression from version 1.0 to 10.0, Google Chrome has packed on the pounds, so to speak. The introduction of features like the internal Flash player, PDF reader, sync engine, and extension and app support have all been contributing factors in the growth of Chrome's footprint.

Now, however, Google is starting to take a look at where Chrome can be slimmed down. A special group of Chromium developers has been assembled and tasked with reducing the size of the Chrome binaries. While Windows is the primary target, it's likely that Mac and Linux versions will be looked at as well.

Google Chrome slated for bloat removal

Glad they are doing something about this, I think Google Chrome is roughly around 26MB to download now (Offline installer) & thats quite big in comparison to Firefox 4 which is around 12MB although its not much bigger than IE9 which is approx 19MB.

It will have to shed a load of fat if they want to match Opera's 7.2 MB download.
Safari is the real heavyweight at 34 MB

Forgot about those two, didn't know Safari was 34MB, now thats pretty big for a browser

Chrome started off small but as each version its size has jumped up & up.

I'd say upto 20MB is OK but after that I think you wanna take a closer look & see what needs trimming etc.

Version 4 to 5 is quite a big leap.

1.0 - 154.65 - May 7, 2009 - 9.0 MB
2.0 - 172.43 - Aug 26, 2009 - 9.18 MB
3.0 - 195.38 - Oct 16, 2009 - 11.2 MB
4.0 - 249.89 - Feb 10, 2010 - 12.5 MB
5.0 - 375.127 - May 24, 2010 - 17.3 MB
6.0 - 472.63 - Sep 23, 2010 - 20.3 MB
7.0 - 517.44 - Nov 4, 2010 - 22.5 MB
8.0 - 552.237 - Jan 12, 2011 - 24.2 MB
9.0 - 597.98 - Feb 11, 2011 - 25.7 MB
10.0 - 648.127 - Mar 03, 2011 - 26.2 MB

More info here - Binary Size Reduction Task Force - Chromium-dev | Google Groups

One thing I hate about Chrome when you download it there is no mention of the version or download size & no options on where to install it & who for.
Opera has been busy cramming features into their browser while reducing the download size.

Opera 11 16 December, 2010 (3 months ago) 7.12 MB
Opera 11 (Beta 1) 23 November, 2010 (4 months ago) 6.92 MB
Opera 10.63 12 October, 2010 (5 months ago) 12.73 MB
Opera 10.62 09 September, 2010 (6 months ago) 12.71 MB
Opera 10.61 12 August, 2010 (7 months ago) 12.7 MB
Opera 10.60 01 July, 2010 (9 months ago) 12.72 MB
Opera 10.54 21 June, 2010 (9 months ago) 12.52 MB
Opera 10.53 30 April, 2010 (11 months ago) 12.42 MB
Opera 10.52 27 April, 2010 (11 months ago) 12.42 MB
Opera 10.51 22 March, 2010 (1 year ago) 12.39 MB
Opera 10.50 02 March, 2010 (1 year ago) 12.11 MB
Opera 10.50 (Beta 2) 24 February, 2010 (1 year ago) 11.88 MB
Opera 10.50 (Beta 1) 11 February, 2010 (1 year ago) 9.5 MB
Opera 10.10 23 November, 2009 (1 year ago) 11.11 MB
Opera 10.01 26 September, 2009 (1 year ago) 8.76 MB
Opera 10.00 01 September, 2009 (2 years ago) 8.67 MB
Opera 9.64 03 March, 2009 (2 years ago) 7.21 MB
Opera 9.63 16 December, 2008 (2 years ago) 7.07 MB
Opera 9.62 30 October, 2008 (2 years ago) 7.11 MB
Opera 9.61 21 October, 2008 (2 years ago) 7.1 MB
Opera 9.60 08 October, 2008 (2 years ago) 7.1 MB
Opera 9.52 20 August, 2008 (3 years ago) 8.52 MB
Opera 9.51 03 July, 2008 (3 years ago) 8.49 MB
Opera 9.50 12 June, 2008 (3 years ago) 8.51 MB

Yes baby Trim the Fat.