Years since I tested what browsers actually did, and much has changed
since then.
I do prefer to spread styles in logical groups over a few stylesheets,
to a certain degree. If nothing else it helps on maintenance and reuse.
1. Will the desktop browser stops loading the above 3 media unless
requested?
A browser will load everything, as long as it supports, or pretends to
support, the link or @import media and queries used. It will put styles
to use as needed and supported.
2. If I link each media type individually, does the desktop browser
actually load the above 3 style sheets?
Same answer.
Similarly, will it not better for targeted device not loading two of the media
types? If a targeted device loads only the correct style sheets, it will be 2
HTTP requests (one for main style and one for targeted media type) but the file
size of each style sheet is significant reduce, and this seems to be beneficial
especially for bandwidth concerned mobile devices. Yes?
Back in the days we used link and/or @import media and queries as
filters to /hack/ browsers - to make them load or not load specific
stylesheets. Today we at least try to be a bit more advanced, and use
link and/or @import media and queries as filters to /target/ browsers
and devices - to make them load or not load specific stylesheets.
Reasons may have changed amongst conscious web designers , but browsers
are evolving, so too much deliberate filtering at the link and @import
stages may mean an existing or future browser/device that can, and
should be given a chance to, handle specific styles, won't load them.
So, it is my advice that you don't filter more than you have to at the
link and @import stages, even if that means slightly fatter stylesheets.
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