Although roughly 44.8% of computer users are using various versions of Internet Explorer and 45.5% of computer users are using Mozilla Firefox, there is still a tense competition for the creation of the best internet browser. In this article, we will review some of the basics of the best internet browsers out there for your Windows 7 machine. We will grade browsers on a few different categories.
| Browser Version | Tag Name |
| Internet Explorer Release Candidate 1 (8.0.7022.0) | Internet Explorer 8 |
| Safari 4 Public Beta (528.16) | Safari |
| Chrome 1.0.154.48 | Chrome |
| Opera 10.00 alpha | Opera |
| Firefox 3.1b2 | Firefox |
Speed
In this speed test, we determined the fastest browsers on Windows 7, based off of our average start up times, page load times, Javascript assessment times, and CSS benchmark times. The results are shown below and are to be taken with a grain of salt. Margins of error were relatively high for these tests. Update: I have included some more reliable tests from Lifehacker and CNET in the results.
CSS:
Winner: Opera
Loser: Internet Explorer 8
Javascript:
Winner: Safari
Loser: Internet Explorer 8
Startup Time:
Winner: Chrome
Loser: Firefox
Page Load Time:
Winner: Safari
Loser: Chrome
Usability
Safari:
Safari 4 is a huge step up in usability from the rather disappointing Safari 3. The new “Top Sites” feature steals from Opera’s original use of the Speed Dial and Google’s perfection of the utility in Chrome. Although Safari does not include labels for the top sites like Chrome, Safari’s Top Sites feature is far better. The “Edit” button allows for customization of the sites, where they show up, and other options. You can choose how many sites you’ll see.
In addition, Safari’s new design allows for greater usability with more screenspace since the tabs are a part of the windows’s title bar like in Google Chrome. Smart move.
Safari's Top Sites feature is an excellent addition.
The new History with “Cover Flow” is a better way to look through your past files. Safari 4’s version of middle click was a stroke of pure genius. Apple’s implementation of built-in RSS is excellent.
Unfortunately, Safari fails to have an add-on/plugin system as good as Firefox’s. And, the address bar in Safari is so eight years ago. Firefox’s address bar is fifty times better and Chrome’s is twenty five times better.
Firefox:
Firefox is no match for Google Chrome’s ease of use. But, Firefox is highly customizable and has the best address bar of any browser out there. The Firefox address bar allows you to type “go wi” or something like that and navigate quickly to your Google News search for “Windows 7.” In addition, typing ‘Windows 7′ into the bar and pressing enter will automatically send you to the Windows 7 homepage on Microsoft.com. Brilliant. The address bar makes Firefox.
In addition, almost any feature on any browser can be added to Firefox with Firefox Add-Ons. The Firefox Add-Ons system is a comprehensive database of endless amounts of tweaks for your browser. Using the Speed Dial add-on, I effectively added Chrome/Opera/Safari’s top sites feature to Firefox. And using themes, I made Firefox look almost as good as Safari 4 and Chrome.
Internet Explorer 8:
Internet Explorer is still one of the harder browsers to use. The new “Web Slices” feature is difficult to understand for first timers and the Compatibility View is just plain terrible. Users do not wish to see a screwed up version of the Web and then click “Compatibility View” to make it right. Pretty sure the users are just looking for the web to be displayed correctly like it does in Firefox or Chrome.
The Accelerators feature isn’t a bad addition. It is nice to be able to right click and address and map it immediately. Although, I’m not really a fan of that popup blue icon that keeps spawning when you highlight something.
The address bar is pretty good. It beats Safari’s hands down.
Google Chrome:
Google Chrome is one of the most exciting new browsers out there. Its deployment of the “Omni-bar” instead of the address bar-search bar combo is a stroke of genius. Unfortunately, the omni-bar isn’t as smart as Firefox’s address bar. The top sites feature as the homepage is brilliant as well. Putting the tabs on the title bar allows for more screen real estate, and Google Chrome just looks good in Windows 7’s aero interface. Overall, a solid browser. The ability of each Google Chrome tab to run in a separate process also improves your chances of recovering from any sort of crash.
Appearance
Firefox:
Firefox isn’t one of the best looking browsers. The grey bars look is a little outdated. But, the fact that you can add-on themes in Firefox saves the day for the Mozilla browser. Adding the “Glasser” theme for Firefox in Windows 7 with the aero interface enabled makes Firefox look pretty good.
Firefox using "Glasser" in Windows 7
Google Chrome:
Google Chrome really revolutionized the way browsers look. Everything is very simple. It looks good. The light blue is maybe a poor choice, but the incorporation of the glass in the aero interface is spot on. The top sites feature adds some bling to the pages.
Safari:
Safari 4 is the best looking browser I have ever seen. It takes the Google Chrome simplicity to a new level and allows for a wonderful amount of screen real estate by placing the beautiful glass tabs at the top of the window. The “Create a new tab” button at the top right looks brilliant with the shadow of the tabs. In addition, the 3D top sites feature is extremely flashy and Cover Flow for your History is eye-catching as well as useful. I wish every browser looked this good.
Internet Explorer 8:
Internet Explorer 8 is not appealing. It does incorporate well into the glass of the aero interface, but that is about it. The tabs bar looks flat and the whole “light blue” thing is way out of style.
Overall
Overall, the best browser, in my opinion, for your Windows 7 machine is Mozilla Firefox. The incredible address bar surpasses any positive features of the other browsers. Add-ons and themes can get you all the things from Safari, Chrome, and IE anyways. Safari wins for appearance, Google Chrome for potential, and Firefox overall.
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