Running native mail/cal apps vs. open tabs (CPU/RAM efficiency)

[Milchschokolade]

Is there any way to determine what would be the most CPU/RAM efficient way to run mail and calendar on an old mac? (C2D edu iMac from mid-2009 with SSD and 8gigs of RAM)

I need to run Google's calendar and mail.
Running macOS Catalina.

Option 1: Pin two tabs in Chrome
Option 2: same, pin two tabs, but in Safari
Option 3: use native Catalina apps (Mail and Calendar), which would remain open

I get that on newer machines the difference between these three is negligible, however, with an old underpowered machine I'm looking for the most lightweight CPU/RAM solution.

Thanks

 

[mk313]

I don't use an older Mac any longer, so I can't say for sure, but my experience has always been good using the built-in apps. I never experienced any slowness with them when I was using a Mac of that vintage (or any time at all really). I have to use Chrome on my work laptop (windows) and that is very CPU intensive compared to Edge or any other program I use. I avoid it whenever I can. I suspect that option 3 would be your best bet, but if not, then option 2. I can't imagine that Option 1 would be as good as the other 2.