Been keeping quite low for quite some time due to my busy schedule...had not much time for other stuff lately :-)
Ok to the review....you might have heard of the new internet browser by Google called Chrome and you had not tried it out yet because you do not know if it's as good the one that you are using now. So please give me a chance to present my verdict on this new web browser to you and then you can decide whether you want to use it or not.
First, let's look at its user interface. Overall, it looks very clean and neat as well as simple to me...kinda reminded me of Safari by Apple when it first came out to public release. And as with other current web browsers, Chrome comes with multiple tabs support, which is quite useful especially if you are the type who likes to open multiple webpages simultaneously... so for those who are still using IE6, please spare some time to upgrade to IE7 at least, if you are to remain as a loyal Microsoft fan.
The general GUI of the browser...very neat and pleasing to the eyes to me
One advantage that Google said Chrome has over the other web browsers at the moment (IE, Firefox, Safari, Opera, just to name a few) is that each tab you open in Chrome will have its own Process in Windows Task Manager. Google claims that by doing this, in case any of the webpages in any tab crashes, it won't cause the whole browser to crash and shutdown ala IE, Firefox and Safari crashes that I encountered. Only the affected tab will be closed, not the whole browser. But, personally I feel that if you open many tabs in Chrome, it's gonna contribute to the same RAM hog problem that we all accustomed to by using the other browsers. It's a good effort by Google nevertheless.
Individual processes for each tab in Chrome
In order to conduct your regular Google searches, just key in your search words/phrase in the address bar and Chrome will automatically do a search for it on their search engine. Nice touch there too. Not to mention, the address bar is also very intuitive ala the new address bar by Firefox3.
And if you tend to visit your favourite websites often, everytime you open Chrome, it will show you the thumbnails of your favourite webpages. Very convenient IMHO.
Your most visited websites...complete with thumbnails :-)
The other thing that Google boasts is the speed of Chrome when loading webpages with Javascripts. I tried it and yes, loading Javascripts on Chrome is like having a ride in a turbocharged bullet train. Internet banking and Live Timing on www.formula1.com will be a breeze for regular users of such services.
On the other hand, Chrome took equally amount of time to load any other ordinary websites, albeit still speedier than IE. From what I can see, the fastest web browser is still Safari, followed by Firefox and Chrome and lastly IE. Sorry, don't know anything about other offerings i.e. Opera as these 4 are the ones that I've used and still using.
Another disadvantage of Chrome is that there's no plugins and extensions at the moment. Yeah....I know it's still in Beta mode, so let's give Google some time to finalize some of its functions and fix some existing/potential bugs on it and then we'll see what offerings they have installed for us. So, I guess that Firefox hardcore users (like me :-p) would like to skip this first while waiting for the final release to be out, complete with its plugins and extensions.
Final verdict: Great browser in the making with enough potentials to tumble Firefox out of the No. 1 spot that it has been holding on for so long. What it makes up for speed in Javascripted webpages is compromised by lack of plugins and a not so speedy performance on other normal websites. But highly recommended to give it a try at least....reall not bad.
Pros:
Clean look...real nice
Really fast while loading websites with Javascript
Individual processes for each tab to prevent whole browser crashing (only the affected tab(s) will be closed)
Cons:
Loading speed of other websites is not any much different compared to competitors
Individual processes practice might lead to RAM hog problem
No plugins/extensions at the moment
Cheers
Ok to the review....you might have heard of the new internet browser by Google called Chrome and you had not tried it out yet because you do not know if it's as good the one that you are using now. So please give me a chance to present my verdict on this new web browser to you and then you can decide whether you want to use it or not.
First, let's look at its user interface. Overall, it looks very clean and neat as well as simple to me...kinda reminded me of Safari by Apple when it first came out to public release. And as with other current web browsers, Chrome comes with multiple tabs support, which is quite useful especially if you are the type who likes to open multiple webpages simultaneously... so for those who are still using IE6, please spare some time to upgrade to IE7 at least, if you are to remain as a loyal Microsoft fan.
The general GUI of the browser...very neat and pleasing to the eyes to meOne advantage that Google said Chrome has over the other web browsers at the moment (IE, Firefox, Safari, Opera, just to name a few) is that each tab you open in Chrome will have its own Process in Windows Task Manager. Google claims that by doing this, in case any of the webpages in any tab crashes, it won't cause the whole browser to crash and shutdown ala IE, Firefox and Safari crashes that I encountered. Only the affected tab will be closed, not the whole browser. But, personally I feel that if you open many tabs in Chrome, it's gonna contribute to the same RAM hog problem that we all accustomed to by using the other browsers. It's a good effort by Google nevertheless.
Individual processes for each tab in ChromeIn order to conduct your regular Google searches, just key in your search words/phrase in the address bar and Chrome will automatically do a search for it on their search engine. Nice touch there too. Not to mention, the address bar is also very intuitive ala the new address bar by Firefox3.
And if you tend to visit your favourite websites often, everytime you open Chrome, it will show you the thumbnails of your favourite webpages. Very convenient IMHO.
Your most visited websites...complete with thumbnails :-)The other thing that Google boasts is the speed of Chrome when loading webpages with Javascripts. I tried it and yes, loading Javascripts on Chrome is like having a ride in a turbocharged bullet train. Internet banking and Live Timing on www.formula1.com will be a breeze for regular users of such services.
On the other hand, Chrome took equally amount of time to load any other ordinary websites, albeit still speedier than IE. From what I can see, the fastest web browser is still Safari, followed by Firefox and Chrome and lastly IE. Sorry, don't know anything about other offerings i.e. Opera as these 4 are the ones that I've used and still using.
Another disadvantage of Chrome is that there's no plugins and extensions at the moment. Yeah....I know it's still in Beta mode, so let's give Google some time to finalize some of its functions and fix some existing/potential bugs on it and then we'll see what offerings they have installed for us. So, I guess that Firefox hardcore users (like me :-p) would like to skip this first while waiting for the final release to be out, complete with its plugins and extensions.
Final verdict: Great browser in the making with enough potentials to tumble Firefox out of the No. 1 spot that it has been holding on for so long. What it makes up for speed in Javascripted webpages is compromised by lack of plugins and a not so speedy performance on other normal websites. But highly recommended to give it a try at least....reall not bad.
Pros:
Clean look...real nice
Really fast while loading websites with Javascript
Individual processes for each tab to prevent whole browser crashing (only the affected tab(s) will be closed)
Cons:
Loading speed of other websites is not any much different compared to competitors
Individual processes practice might lead to RAM hog problem
No plugins/extensions at the moment
Cheers
2 comments:
Nice review Mark. Like I said, you're my resident tech support/reviewer. =P
About the clean look... is the toolbar/menu bar customisable? For example in Opera, I can add all sorts of crazy, you-don't-know-you-need-it-until-you-use-it type of buttons. Safari is so pretty but limited/crippled... =(
Top browsers (Opera, Firefox, Chrome) now supports history+Google search from the address bar now. Works like magic, I think Opera's implementation is better than Firefox... *biased user comment, nyek nyek nyek!
Marktrix, have you heard about any secutity issues with Chrome?
Oooh, the task/tab manager and superb javascript power... that's something to love about Chrome. I'm going to download it. Watch out for my review of Google Chrome: The n00b/retard/non-techie/Opera-biased review. X^D
I'm now waiting for Marktrix's review of Google Chrome 1.0 full version.
Thanks for your comment YW....man why are we sounding so serious/formal??? :-p
Actually in Safari, you can customize your toolbar to cater for buttons that you use frequently. In fact, I think Safari has the best looking font on any browser that I've used so far. Clearlook Lucida Grande fonts with the right width and thickness so as to not having to strain your eyes reading the texts.
As for security issues, so I far I haven't heard of it yet. Maybe you can try Googling around to confirm on that. For the best - Please practice safe browsing habit. :-p
Before Chrome 1.0 comes out, I think I would review the gOS 3.0 Gadgets first. Final release just came out the other day. Head on to www.thinkgos.com for more info :-)
And not to be left out - iPhone 2.1 QUickpwn-ed on Windows and the loads of Apps on it :-p
Cheers
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