The fastest web browser in 2011 (so far)?

Discussion in 'The Lounge' started by dlb, May 12, 2011.

  1. dlb

    dlb MajorGeek

    http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1610/1/

    The article uses numerous browser-based benchmarks (that I have never heard of) to test all the popular browsers of the day: Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, IE, and a couple others, and they tested various releases of each browser including some betas. I was hoping that older versions of browsers would have been tested too like FF 3.x since it is still in somewhat wide usage.

    On a similar yet completely different note: I recently upgraded from Palemoon 3.x to 4.x and I can honestly say that 4.x opens MUCH slower than 3.x did, but once it's up and running, it is just as fast or faster than Palemoon 3.x was. Anyone else experience this? (maybe I should start a thread in the software forum about this)
     
    dlb, May 12, 2011
    #1
  2. bigbazza

    bigbazza R.I.P. 14/12/2011 - Good Onya Geek

    Thanks dlb, for the link to Browser speed. Most informative. I'm using an older version of Opera and will stick with that, probably.

    I have, however, added your info to my Zulupad database in case someone wants help with Browser comparisons.

    Thanks again,

    Bazza
     
    bigbazza, May 12, 2011
    #2
  3. Rikky

    Rikky Wile E. Coyote - One of a kind

    Yeah thanks for the link,I've just installed chrome 12.07 due to the link and I'm giving it a whirl now to see if it feels faster.Gonna give palemoon 4 a good run aswell not tried it yet.

    Didn't like the whole switcharoo with the default firefox settings in the new version but after fiddling with the customisable toolbars I have to say its a good feature.
     
    Rikky, May 12, 2011
    #3
  4. BoredOutOfMyMind

    BoredOutOfMyMind Picabo, ICU

    FF 4 is like FF 3 in that it will be bogged down depending on what addons you have installed. I prefer 3.6.16 (what ever the latest is) over 4.0 for speed and stability. It is somewhat better this week.
     
    BoredOutOfMyMind, May 13, 2011
    #4
  5. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Sadly as soon as a site uses a preview or alpha/beta version of anything I switch off as that's not a good gauge of performance of that application as its BETA and a TEST version! this is what causes negative press to applications, when they are likely not as bad as the test.

    Who's to say the test is not flawed? who's tested the test for accuracy and if its compatible with said browser? I'm only going this route as we where talking in work about tests (mainly medical) that who's verified that they are fit for purpose and are compatible with the current applications.

    TBH all these tests and yes I have run them myself is still not a real life test as they don't have the security apps you have installed the Windows version and any other application that could cause any browser to perform not perfect.

    The real life test is does a browser work for you and as quick as you need it too? if yes then job done.
     
    DavidGP, May 13, 2011
    #5
  6. dlb

    dlb MajorGeek

    Yeah - I was a bit surprised to see so many Betas included in this article. IMO, they should only test the newest stable release of a browser, and maybe throw in a beta or two at the end just for fun. I wish that this article would have included the latest 3.x version of FF, and the newest version of PaleMoon just to see how PM4 compares to FF4.

    (BTW - I uninstalled PM4 and re-installed it 'clean' and it now opens MUCH faster than it did yesterday - my previous install of PM4 was by using the "there's a new version available, upgrade now?" prompt from within PM3.x; I should have known better, but I used that and it resulted in a slower browser than if I had installed it clean)
     
    dlb, May 13, 2011
    #6
  7. Gregoryno6

    Gregoryno6 Specialist

    I was using PM 3.6.16 and the Updates option under the Tools tab said this was the latest version. I had to download 4.0.6 from the website but it is much faster.
    I'd been having problems with page loads rolling on and never completing. This was a real PITA because the most common site to get stuck was my primary email account at justhost. With the new version on Pale Moon it's settled down.
     
    Gregoryno6, May 14, 2011
    #7
  8. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    I agree with you, but something else came to mind this morning, caffiene induced likely is that you could have the fastest browser going but if the webpage or download site you are using is slow then its not going to matter, the benchmarks of browsers is the same as testing applications and OSes out in being about as useful in the real world as hiding under a table in a nuclear attack.

    Benchmarks are a guide at best but not to be taken as gospel as too many variables to take into account to make them a gold standard, you'd have to be running the exact HW and SW and broadband speed the tester was, but we all have various software and ISP speeds, so while say PM4.0 maybe quick for one user it may not for another, similar to Fx, IE and Opera.

    If it opens a page quick enough for me I don't care what browser I use, and TBH I don't see much in page loading times and rendering times in any of the main browsers to cause me an issue, they all seem ok, the load times of the actual browsers is what I would be more interested in, as some load up quicker than others, for me its no issue as my Raid0 SSD array loads everything up instantly.
     
    DavidGP, May 14, 2011
    #8
  9. augiedoggie

    augiedoggie The Canadian Loon - LocoAugie (R.I.P. 2012)

    Yup David, it's like FF 4 crowing about a 6X increase in speed, I see it at times when a page pops up instantly but not that often really, even here with basically text pages.
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2011
    augiedoggie, May 14, 2011
    #9
  10. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Nail and Head, Augie :)

    It's all spin from the makers, they want to advertise that their app is quicker and in many instances the latest versions are, that's something I have no doubt of as technology moves forward so does coding and the speed of apps, they start to use like FX4.0 and IE9 the power of the GPU to aid in speeding up media in the browser, can you see this outside of a specific benchmark test, not really as it depends on what site and server and speed of your internet.

    However in most instances speed is a perception thing and in reality you wont noticed it in RL computing, the spin aspect is in benchmarks, folk can get too sucked in by them.

    As I will always keep saying use what works for you, no matter if its a particular browser or OS, if it works it works.
     
    DavidGP, May 14, 2011
    #10
  11. augiedoggie

    augiedoggie The Canadian Loon - LocoAugie (R.I.P. 2012)

    Agreed again! My lowly 256MB 6 year old laptop just grinds away on the HDD and can take upto a minute to load a media rich page whereas Chrome works just fine.

    (Yes, I ordered a 1GB of RAM for $20 as my gf got a new laptop, wouldn't ever listen to me!:-D. I can't wait to show her what she's been missing!)
     
    augiedoggie, May 14, 2011
    #11
  12. mjnc

    mjnc MajorGeek

    That's always a big question for me when updating anything - do you need to uninstall First?? :confused

    I think the publisher's recommendations should be included on every download page. :major

    I usually take the long route of uninstalling with Revo, reboot and then do a clean install.
    For things such as browsers, I first make a backup of configuration files and sometimes also
    a Registry backup with ERUNT and System Restore.
    When I download the latest version, I generally keep the previous download, just is case.

    One thing I have noticed with Firefox and Pale Moon is that the automated update has always
    gone smoothly for me.

    LOL

    Opera has alsways been the fastest for me, both in load times and browsing.
     
    mjnc, May 14, 2011
    #12
  13. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    And that's mjnc is the crux of the whole ballgame in that Opera works great for you and its a damn fine browser (I use version 11.10) have to say its Speed Dial works whereas the Fx one is pitiful, IE has a version of it but its not a real version as its not got a menu listing.

    But to test IE9's type about:tabs into the address bar, the info is interesting, can set it as your homepage in Tools > Internet Options.

    ps. I'm glad you liked my random thoughts and caffeine induced posting ;)
     
    DavidGP, May 14, 2011
    #13
  14. mjnc

    mjnc MajorGeek

    I do like the way Speed Dial has been updated in ver. 11.10. It's much easier to manage and the
    Options configuration dialog is a nice touch.

    The thing I found interesting about Firefox Speed Dial is that you can have multiple tabs by category
    if you like.

    Opera could do something similar by adding Categories like sub-headings as an option.
     
    mjnc, May 14, 2011
    #14

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