Can I use Chrome's Reading List feature for shopping items?

Question

Ive been using Chrome for years and I'm usually pretty good with my tab management but right now I'm freaking out a bit because my move is in exactly two weeks and I'm trying to kit out my new studio space. I have about $1500 saved up for the whole setup and I've got like 40 tabs open with different ergonomic chairs, monitor arms, and standing desks from a dozen different sites. Usually I just use bookmarks or leave the tabs open but my RAM is taking a massive hit and I'm worried Chrome is gonna crash and I'll lose the specific listings I found on those niche sites. I started putting some of them into the Reading List feature because it feels cleaner than just dumping them into a random bookmark folder, but then I realized I don't know if they'll actually stay there or if it's meant for like, news articles only? Like will the price tracking or the mark as read thing mess with the page if the item goes out of stock or if the URL changes slightly? I'm really stressed about losing these specific links since some of them were on sale and the deals end tonight. Is there any weird downside to using the Reading List as a temporary shopping cart/wishlist or should I just stick to the old-school bookmarking method? I need a reliable way to sync these across my phone too so I can check stuff while I'm at the hardware store later...

MapleButterBliss · Accepted Answer

Ive been pretty satisfied using the Reading List for hardware specs lately, and it works well for simple link retention. One quick tip: turn on Memory Saver in your Chrome Performance settings to stop those 40 tabs from eating your RAM immediately. Before I give more advice, are you comparing specific SKUs across multiple vendors or just looking for a general wishlist? Knowing your data density helps.

SkylineSpirit · Answer

Oh man, I totally feel your pain with the tab clutter! Moving is such a wild ride. Honestly, I think the Reading List feature is super underrated for this kind of stuff! I'm not 100% sure if it handles dynamic price changes perfectly—someone told me it's basically just a glorified bookmark system—but for saving your RAM, it's absolutely fantastic!! IIRC, the links stay active as long as the site doesn't change the URL. If the item goes out of stock, the link will likely just lead you to a dead page, same as a bookmark would. It's amazing for syncing to your phone tho! Just make sure you're logged into your Google account. If you want something more pro, you could look into specialized shopping extensions. I think some of them even send alerts when prices drop! Good luck with the studio, it's gonna look amazing!

SaskatchewanSoul · Answer

Ive been using Chrome for years and honestly the Reading List works well for exactly this. Regarding what #2 said about "Ive been pretty satisfied using the Reading List...", I'm on the same page. It's a solid way to clear the clutter. The thread basically boils down to: it'll save your RAM and sync to your phone fine, but it wont track price changes for you. Since you're on a $1500 budget, here's what I'd look at for a studio setup:

Flexispot E5 standing desk (approx $350)

Sihoo M57 ergonomic chair (approx $220)

Basic dual monitor arms (approx $100) That leaves you plenty of cash for the actual moving costs. Reading List is great for checking those specific listings while you're at the hardware store, but just remember it's just a static link. It wont notify you if the deal ends tonight so keep an eye on the clock. TL;DR: Reading List is basically a glorified bookmark sync with an unread status. Use it for the mobile access and follow #2's advice on Memory Saver so you dont crash before checking out.