Q: My new MacBook has no labels on the tabs....

New tabs are always going to be generic until you load a page.

What browser are you having trouble with??

Did you try an alternative browser? Results??

You can try opening a guest account and test Safari in this environment.

I suspect it has to do with extensions or add-on's in your user account.

You can work through the suggestions in this link:

http://osxdaily.com/2015/01/18/troubleshoot-safari-freezes-crashes-mac-os-x/

Especially 3: Disable Third Party Extensions & Plugins. Extensions can be disabled through Safari>Preferences>Extensions.

http://www.macissues.com/2015/06/22/how-to-fully-reset-safari-on-your-mac/

It is always advisable to have more than one alternative browser on your computer. It makes it easier to reach out to the internet if your primary browser (Safari) fails in some manner.

Please disable all Safari extensions and test. If the problem is resolved, re-enable the extensions one or a few at a time until you find the culprit.

suzietodd wrote:

 

Thank you for the suggestion... when I went to Safari... Preferences.... and extensions to disable... there were NO extensions ?!?!?!  Is there somewhere else I should look?

 

thank you!

It was already pointed out where the  extension are accessed. If there are none, then move on to the other recommended suggestions in your trouble shooting from the links provided above.

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

Step 1

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.

Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”

While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your documents or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this behavior; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.

Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?

After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.

*Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.

Step 2

The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

Please take this step regardless of the results of Step 1.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem.

Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of Steps 1 and 2.

Force an app to close on your Mac - Apple Support

If all else fails, please press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the power shuts off, then release, wait a few more seconds, and press it again briefly to restart.