Safari 3 lagging something horrible

Question

Safari 3 (Version 3.0.4 (523.12)) does one very weird thing on my computer (10.4.11 / 12" Powerbook).
It has frequent "micro lags" where the entire app will lag for about .33 to .5 seconds in the middle of something. It might be typing (the subject line of this post for example - it lagged there) or scrolling up or down a page. The lags are typically within the first few seconds of a page loading, and are almost always accompanied by the beach ball. Sometimes they last longer, and happen more than once.
It's absolutely maddening, because no other browser has ever behaved like this, but I love the additions in Safari 3.

Answer 1

Ok... that's not a freak problem, it sounds like there's a problem with the startup disk.
You need to boot from your install disc, run Disk Utility to check for errors on the startup disk that may need repairing.
Insert your install disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu and launch Disk Utility.
(In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first from the installer menu)
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel. It should say: Verified)
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
When you are finished with DU, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Manager.
Select your start up disk and click Restart
While you have the Disk Utility window open, look at the bottom of the window. Where you see Capacity and Available. *Make sure there is always 10% to 15% free disk space*