Browser Wars – Objective Testing

from JoeUser Forums

 

Well, we’ve had a week or two to try out ie9, ff4 and Chrome10. Cnet.com (Seth Rosenblatt) has run some benchmarks on the three (Opera and Safari not included because they haven’t been updated recently) and the results have been published.

Using Google’s benchmark, Chrome 10 came out a big winner, but they tailored their browser to that benchmark. Boot time didn’t fare as well. Using JSGamesbench, ff4 won and Kraken showed for ie9.

FF4 should do much better when full hardware acceleration is enabled by Mozilla.

Firefox 4 was chosen the overall winner, but I expect good things of Opera. After all, tab stacking is unique to it, and it frequently surprises with other features like Unite.

Not sure what Safari will bring to bear, though.

Not choosing “best” or worst, here. Everyone should find something to appreciate in each browser. Competition is just making better browsers for us all.

116,715 views 76 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Now if they would only do the benchmark testing on my computer, is that too much to ask?  :O :-" :rofl:

Just having some fun with you Doc. :sun:

 

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

That's some good information Doc! I use IE9, and Firefox 4. What one won't do, the other will! So, I'm still stuck using 2 browsers! :sun:

Elemental: Reforged
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

No problem, Philly. Folks are spending the weekend on *other* threads. My Fontstruct one didn't seem to interest anyone. 

Wonder why? lol. :-"  

Quoting jazzilady, reply 2
That's some good information Doc! I use IE9, and Firefox 4. What one won't do, the other will! So, I'm still stuck using 2 browsers!
End of jazzilady's quote

Same here, jazzi. That's why I posted this, partially.

Opera crashes if I try to Quote or Copy-Paste. So, I use Opera for some stuff, but Pale Moon for everything Stardock.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm glad Firefox came out ahead. But then again I'm biased. Good to know though. thanks Doc.

             Firsfox ..... Oops...I Zubished it. o_O

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Ya I made the remark the "The Other Browser Thread" that I was afraid I was going to end up being one of those people running several browsers, and it is looking that way.  I think I've got it down to 2 (well, 3 counting IE for a particular site) and oddly enough that's going to be Opera/Pale Moon as well.

I read the OP here and started to say something, then I realized "I really don't know what any of that means" \o/   Other than the general speediness of Google I suppose.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Uvah, reply 4
I'm glad Firsfox came out ahead. But then again I'm biased. Good to know though. thanks Doc.
End of Uvah's quote

:rolleyes:

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DaveRI, reply 5
read the OP here and started to say something, then I realized "I really don't know what any of that means" Other than the general speediness of Google I suppose.
End of DaveRI's quote

Until you try the browsers out on your computer the test in the OP is only a benchmark.

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

^ Chrome was the fastest on my machine overall too just from watching it.  I really don't like it's lack of flexibility though, too darned stripped to suit me. :S

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

How fast does a browser have to be? Clearly, I wouldn't like to be able to cook dinner while waiting for a site to load...but that's about it for speed. Security is a large consideration, at least for me. Customizability, as well. Useful extensions/add-ons are desirable.

ie9 fell short on several of those. The JSgamebench... meh...I'm not a gamer. Chrome is an excellent browser, but I don't enjoy sharing with Google (and yes, you share with somebody... I'm just afraid of starkers) ;).

So, Pale Moon and hopefully Opera will get it's next build together soon....

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 3


Opera crashes if I try to Quote or Copy-Paste. So, I use Opera for some stuff, but Pale Moon for everything Stardock.
End of DrJBHL's quote

That's right!!I'm with you,Doc.Pale Moon 4.0,in my opinion(I tested all the main browsers),is absolutely the best browser available at the moment(unless you NEED the FF4 removed features).All the best of FF4(safe,stable,support for a huge number of extension ,the higher customizing possibilities),but QUICKER and A LOT LIGHTER on resources.

Besides,Pale Moon 4.0 still keep mostly of the 3.6.xx interface design(but with all new features,of course)and there is no any kind of problem with WindowBlind.

By the way,in the published"survey" they don't report at all the browsers loads on the system.Google Chrome and FF4 are very heavy on resources,in the same way,just to give an idea,of an advanced and complete security suite as Kaspersky Internet Security,that runs a very powerful firewall and lots of real time protection modules.I can understand that in Kaspersky,because I feel my 2 PC really safe,but I do not in a browser!!

Pale Moon ,Opera,and IE,instead,are light.I agree that Opera needs some improvements,but I'm sure someone is working on it in this moment,and soon we'll have an update(11.10 Beta 1 is already available).

Thanks for the post,Doc! :)

Quoting Philly0381, reply 7


Until you try the browsers out on your computer the test in the OP is only a benchmark.
End of Philly0381's quote

That's right.I agree.

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 9
hopefully Opera will get it's next build together soon....
End of DrJBHL's quote

If Opera could take care of its compatibility issues I could forget about all the other ones, even though it seems to me to be a *dash* slower than Pale Moon.  Going from IE8 to Opera was a breath of fresh air in terms of speed and options, and I do really like it.  They could just go nuts with that one and I'd be a happy guy. :grin:

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Why does anyone use IE or Chrome when there are no extensions like those found on Firefox?

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Maybe because they like it.

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

kona0197 I don't use extensions or extra toolbars.  Some folks very well my have the need to use them.

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

You know, I had a look through those and wasn't sure what exactly to think about them.  Seemed like if a person were looking for something specific it might be great, also looked like going crazy with them might be a good way to really junk things up.

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting inthebloodofeden, reply 10
,just to give an idea,of an advanced and complete security suite as Kaspersky Internet Security,that runs a very powerful firewall and lots of real time protection modules.I can understand that in Kaspersky,because I feel my 2 PC really safe,but I do not in a browser!!
End of inthebloodofeden's quote

You'd better download Microsoft's MHTML fix, just the same because the trojan used to exploit that weakness in MHTML handling won't trigger your Kaspersky (or any other security suite).

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2501696

 

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Philly0381, reply 14
kona0197 I don't use extensions or extra toolbars.  Some folks very well my have the need to use them.
End of Philly0381's quote

Some of them are very useful. Like AdBlock. I never see ads.

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting tazgecko, reply 18
Speaking of Firefox addons, Mozilla is looking to stamp down on them http://blog.mozilla.com/addons/2011/04/01/improving-add-on-performance/

due to performance issue with some. 
End of tazgecko's quote

Had to 86 all but one of the add-ons for FF because they were preventing it from working correctly. Speed dial is the only one I got.

BTW ... I didn't know Palemoon has a safe mode. Go figure.

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

This may be a little off-topic but I installed Opera 11 today, and it does have some quirks.  Some sites don't render properly.  Loaded the same site in Maxthon (IE Based browser), and loads properly (I think).  I also tried installing IE9, but the installation seemed like it was looping and not making any progress, so I quit that.

So far, Opera 11 seems better for Youtube & Multimedia viewing ('cause I installed a YouTube addon which allows heavy customization of the site, including downloading videos w/o 3rd party software or toolbars), and for casual web-surfing, i'll stick with Maxthon (such as this site).

BTW, is Opera 11 hardware accelerated?  It's not all that fast to me (as I have it installed on a USB thumbdrive)

I'm writing this article with Maxthon 2.5.15.  Still haven't found a reason why to abandon Maxthon just yet.   

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

'Had to 86 all but one of the add-ons for FF because they were preventing it from working correctly. Speed dial is the only one I got.'

 

I have 14 of them, more than happy with the performance of FF. Only use FF now, to the point where I am thinking of uninstalling Opera.

X(  

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting VistArtXPosed, reply 20
BTW, is Opera 11 hardware accelerated? 
End of VistArtXPosed's quote

Looks like it's coming out with Opera 11.5

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I know what I'll do. Go get Opera 11.0 somethng. Then go get FF4 .0 something. Then go get Safari, Chrome, The Monkey one, and a couple more to even things out and have all of them gang up on IE9, strip it out and rebuild it using spare parts of the others and guess what you'll have. No clue? An Internet Explorer that just might ...... work. Either that or it'll call home and say ...... @$^**^$$%^^&*^#@@%$^&* #$%^*&^&%$

Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top

Slow Performing Add-ons

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/performance/

Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 9
How fast does a browser have to be? Clearly, I wouldn't like to be able to cook dinner while waiting for a site to load...but that's about it for speed. Security is a large consideration, at least for me. Customizability, as well. Useful extensions/add-ons are desirable.
End of DrJBHL's quote

I am a little more demanding. While I do not need it to be as fast as the Google Commercials, I do not want to wait 5 minutes either.  As long as they are all under a minute for a normal page (we know pages that take longer), speed is not an issue.  But once you get above the 1 minute mark, then I get crabby.

Thanks for the write up!  I will pass on IE9 for now, but update my Chrome and FF.