Why is Google Docs so sloooow?

[fivepoint]

When Google Docs first came out I was very excited. The reason it suits me so well, is for my family finances. For budgeting, I've created a fairly advanced cash flow sheet on Google Spreadsheet. It gives me a quick glance at my month-to-month finances, and also... because it is Google Docs, I can make changes from anywhere with an internet connection and a web browser! Beyond that, my wife and I can view the document at the same time, and discuss changes in real-time. Great!

But why.... why oh why is Google Docs so slow on my mac? At work, on my PC, Google Docs is quite fast, and an enjoy to use. A home, on my 5 year old iMac (using Firefox since Safari is not supported), it is an absolute DOG. I know my connection at home is faster, so that is not the issue, and up until a few days ago I assumed it was because my mac was so old.

However, this weekend I went home and looked up my finances on my brother's brand new 24" 2.4Ghz iMac, and the samy symptoms held true. Is the problem with Google Docs itself? Is the site not optimized for Macs? This is very frustrating... It's the ONE THING that my work PC does better than my home Mac.

Are the rest of you experiencing the same problems?
What can be done to improve my experience?

Thanks!

 

[clevin]

to diagnose the problem, very important questions need to be anwsered

I assume your brother is using firefox as well?

which OSX are you using? Tiger? or Leopard?

 

[fivepoint]

to diagnose the problem, very important questions need to be anwsered

I assume your brother is using firefox as well?

which OSX are you using? Tiger? or Leopard?

Good idea. Thank you.

We are both running Mac OSX Leopard.
We are both running Firefox.

 

[clevin]

Good idea. Thank you.

We are both running Mac OSX Leopard.
We are both running Firefox.

so, did you ever use google docs on Tiger? if so, was that slow as well?

also, can you put "slow" into a more detailed example?

 

[fivepoint]

so, did you ever use google docs on Tiger? if so, was that slow as well?

also, can you put "slow" into a more detailed example?

I also used Google Docs with Tiger. Same speed problem.

"Slow" to me means command hesitation. For example. I will be scrolling across the spreadsheet, and it will take the computer a good second or two to start scrolling. The PC was far more 'responsive', and would react to my commands (from scrolling, to entering data, to calculating sums) far faster than it did on both macs.

 

[clevin]

this is very strange, I just tried it on my MINI with Tiger, using both firefox 2 and firefox 3. I didn't see any delay in scrolling.

Strange

does a new firefox profile help?

 

[fivepoint]

Have you tried uploading an excel file which already has a decent amount of data in it? Maybe the more information/equations you have in the document, the more it is affected?

Also, what do you mean by a new Firefox 'profile?'

 

[clevin]

Have you tried uploading an excel file which already has a decent amount of data in it? Maybe the more information/equations you have in the document, the more it is affected?

Also, what do you mean by a new Firefox 'profile?'

no, i did not try excel files, my excel files are generally very complicated, I don't believe google doc supports them. see if other peeple can confirm this.

new profile, firefox will creat a folder to save all the caches, sessions, extensions, themes, cookies, passwords, bookmarks, etc. that folder is called profile. check www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/profile for its location.

you can just rename the folder "firefox" to something else (with fx closed), next time firefox starts, it will creat a new one automatically. if this turns out not helpful, you can just delete the new profile folder, and rename back the old profile.

I highly doubt this is the problem tho, since it would be very unlikely that both you and your brother have the problem with firefox at the same time...

 

[fivepoint]

Clevin,
Thank you for all of your help. I share your opinion that the profile is likely not the problem. Google Docs is literally the only thing I use Firefox for, and my brothers computer had a fresh install of Firefox just for me to try the speed test. It had never been used before.


Everyone else,
Have you experienced these same symptoms on your mac?
Is there anything I can do do improve my experience with Google Docs?


HELP!

 

[odinsride]

I've been using Google Docs a lot recently for my finances as well. I haven't experienced any slowness like you describe. I'm using Leopard / Firefox on a 2.4ghz MBP. I have also had success using Google Docs in Safari - I've only noticed a few bugs/glitches here and there.

 

[fivepoint]

This is SO strange. It is sooo slow for me... I can barely stand it anymore. I literally look forward to going to work and sitting down to my PC in the morning because of this!

Now that is a scary thought!

 

[netdog]

Sounds like this guy needs to buy a new Mac Pro Octo-Core on January 15th. That will make it all snappier.

 

[fivepoint]

Sounds like this guy needs to buy a new Mac Pro Octo-Core on January 15th. That will make it all snappier.

Assuming it is a processor thing. I was starting to think that it may be a coding thing on Google's side. Like it wasn't optimized for macs... but now I don't know.

 

[jincongz]

Yea, I think it's a coding thing too. Using it on my Penryn Macbook is painful. The school's C2D, it's snappy and stuff. What's up with that...

 

[Norak]

Browser

I would recommend trying Google Chrome...
Even if it Mac compatability isn't hard coded into google docs, or if its a problem with firefox, google chrome will most probably solve it for you.
For one, it is also made by google, so will provide enhanced compatability and speed.
For two, google chrome is streamlined for efficiency, it was made to go fast.
For three, if it is a problem with firefox, then using google chrome could help.
See how that goes for you.

 

[clevin]

I would recommend trying Google Chrome...
Even if it Mac compatability isn't hard coded into google docs, or if its a problem with firefox, google chrome will most probably solve it for you.
For one, it is also made by google, so will provide enhanced compatability and speed.
For two, google chrome is streamlined for efficiency, it was made to go fast.
For three, if it is a problem with firefox, then using google chrome could help.
See how that goes for you.

1. its a deep grave
2. op has no problem on pc with firefox
3. there is no chrome on mac

 

[sltnfndr]

This is SO strange. It is sooo slow for me... I can barely stand it anymore. I literally look forward to going to work and sitting down to my PC in the morning because of this!

Now that is a scary thought!

Yes, mine is so bad I've stopped using this thing but I'm tired of being glued to my stationary PC so it's time to fix this, because this is 2019 and this is ridiculous. New mac user, the hardware is far superior to any PC I've ever used. The software is pissing me off.

 

[MacDawg]

This thread was started 12 years ago and the last post was 10 years ago

If you are truly experiencing problems with Google Docs (and wanting to be taken seriously), you are likely to be better served by starting a new thread and stating your case
Instead of piggy backing on a necro thread that won't offer any relevant information but only confuse folk

 

[sltnfndr]

Yes, mine is so bad I've stopped using this thing but I'm tired of being glued to my stationary PC so it's time to fix this, because this is 2019 and this is ridiculous. New mac user, the hardware is far superior to any PC I've ever used. The software is pissing me off.

Downloading Google Chrome worked for me so far.

 

[rafark]

Because google docs is not compiled, it's made with JS.