There are so many browsers out there now that it is very hard to choose the best. Should I stick with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer? Should I ditch it for the open-source Mozilla Firefox? Should I go for the speedy Google Chrome? Or even…should I take my chances with Apple’s Safari 4 Beta? We show you the best browser on this Browser Smackdown.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 7
IE 7 is…OK. The interface is half-decent compared to IE 6. And it does patch up some gaping security holes. But it remains the most hackable, most not secure, most terrible browser in the world. There is no autocomplete feature for the search box, and even that comes with Live Search by default, not Google Search. Plus, Safari 4 beats it in terms of speed by 42 times, as tested by CNET UK. That is forty-two times!!! Add-ons for IE install as seperate programs on your computer. Lame! For Windows Vista users, the automatic file scanning for downloads only works with Windows Defender, which in case you haven’t heard, catches less than half the spyware on web. The tab bar is crowded, the “redesigned interface” has a steep learning curve, and the installer takes FOREVER to install, whereas Safari 4 takes a mere 10 seconds to install. The phishing filter is so slow we could weep. Thumbs down, IE 7!
Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 RC1
Sure, it’s not a final release, but it’s close! And it sucks. So, whoo-hoo, we get InPrivate browsing. That was in Safari ages ago. We get search and site suggestions. That was in Firefox eons ago. Enhanced security is always welcome. Separate processes for tabs are nice…so are Web Slices and Accelerators. But really? It’s still 6x slower than Safari 4. The rendering engine has changed so much that you need to turn on compatibility mode for every site. If you’re a Microsoft fan…then sure, You should get IE 8 over IE 7. But you should consider something else.
Mozilla Firefox 3
Firefox is a great browser. It was the first to introduce a Smart Location Bar. It has one click bookmarking and full page zoom. The security in Firefox totally trumps IE, with Instant Website ID and a great phishing filter. Firefox also has a great add-on community base. And, it runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. But Firefox is still not as fast as Chrome or Safari…
Google Chrome 1.0
Google Chrome is an awesome browser. The interface is clean and the overall speed is zippy. The “omnibar,” which combines the address bar and search bar, is a very neat idea. One click bookmarking is a nice feature, as is the private browsing and “speed dial” page. We think the speed dial page is ugly compared to Safari’s and we hate that there it is WINDOWS ONLY as of now. But, if you’re on Windows, Chrome is a great browser.
Safari 4.0 Beta
Safari 4 is the winner of this Smackdown, and we will tell you why. Besides the fancy Top Sites and Cover Flow and Full History Search, the interface is minimalist, with the tabs on the top. It is the World’s Fastest Browser, as deemed by CNET UK. Safari has a native look on Windows PCs, which is a major plus. And, just like other browsers, there is a phishing filter and search/site suggestions. It features full page zoom and scored 100/100 on the Acid3 Browser Test. You can download our Smackdown winner at www.apple.com/safari.
Disagree with our pick? Send us your feedback at theworld@daylenyang.com.
Is the latest version of Firefox not fast enough for you? Check out 
