Especially for MAC users: Google Chrome Review
Dainis Graveris
And this is it - all blogosphere is now talking about new Google Chrome browser. Google just released beta version and I must say – unbelievable speed!
When I heard at first about Chrome I thought – just one more browser – there are enough already, and yeah, I hear all MAC users screaming about injustice, that only PC users meanwhile can access new browser beta version and I thought I could make review specially for them. I luckily (never thought I will say that word about PC) have PC, so I got the chance to test it. So what’s really about this new browser?
So first I can say it’s EXTREMELY fast, and yes – I really mean EXTREMALY! I am great fan of FireFox, but I can say, I loved Chrome from my first minute. At first it took just ~2 minutes to download and install – every page just loads in few seconds and design is very clean and intuitive, which is great, although I already missed my FF plugins :)
So okay, lets dig deeper:
What’s new with Chrome really? :
1. One box for everything
You got one browser box, where You start typing and browser automatically suggest You popular searches, visited pages while You are writing. Great feature, because now You got Search and Browser box in one field!
2. New tab
You can click on New tab icon – You can see Your nine most visited pages with thumbnails, history search, recent bookmarks and latest closed tabs. I found it pretty useful.
3. Crash Control
Chrome handles tabs differently than other browsers – each tab loads in his own process. This feature cuts out possibility of crashing Your browser – now there will crash just one tab. You can see below in image, what I am talking about.
So now Chrome has his own Task Manager and You can see there, how much memory uses browser, each tab, plug-ins and easily end process of desired page.
If You like detailed statistics – open stats for nerds to see summary.
4. Incognito mode
Image is pretty self explaining – if You don’t want to display pages in Your web history – just choose incognito mode and do safe browsing :) If You work in office – this one could be pretty useful spy mode.
5. Importing settings
Google Chrome made pretty easy for new users to switch to their browser with easy bookmark,password etc. importing from Your previous browser.
6. Instant bookmarks
Browser automatically warns when You are going to visit some unsafe web site – I think You can trust Google as it is one of the biggest Internet giants in the world.
7. Simpler downloads
When downloading a file, it will open in left bottom sidebar – just like FireFox with Statusbar extension. Thoughtful!
8. Dynamic tabs
You can easily manage Your tab order or create new window, just by easily clicking and dragging.
9. Speed
As I already said – Chrome is very fast, while browsing pages – however I am not an expert to make speed testing, however I found some tests.
Those are 5 subtests measuring browser’s JavaScript performance.
And there are more speed tests made by lifehacker.com :
10. Design
Interface in Chrome is very clean and intuitive, every icon and page just in place – excellent design. There are just minimalistic toolbar at top of the browser with just few buttons like:
And two icons – one for customizing current page and another to set Your global configuration settings:
Here I can see how less can be more.
Summary
Looks like Chrome will be serious competitor, because of its speed, cleanness and simplicity. I already see great war happening between FireFox, Chrome,Internet Explorer and Safari. Yeah..and for us, designers, looks like there will be one more browser to validate for. However I cant wait for full Chrome version and FireFox response to this step. See you in blogosphere!
If You are interested to know more about Google Chrome and why they made new browser, check their homepage:
I will be very glad to hear Your opinion about those news!
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savitri
Posted 790 days ago 11the best browser , google wins again
rubyq
Posted 817 days ago 10great post – really motivated me to try and am now happily using v4
Commander Selvam
Posted 890 days ago 9I do agree GOOGLE chrome is speed and fast downloading
Thanks for reviewing about chrome it is very interesting one
Dainis Graveris
Posted 1253 days ago 8@Pete no idea yet, little discrimination for MAC users I know. But I suppose fast enough, because there are huge amount of MAC users.
Yeah and this is just beta version for now.
ZerroQ
Posted 1253 days ago 7Since it’s just a v.Beta I’d say as soon as the stable one comes out.
Pete
Posted 1253 days ago 6Any idea when it will be available for MAC?
Dainis Graveris
Posted 1254 days ago 5@Gujna yeah, FireFox always has been used by people, who search for the best in the internet.
And now Chrome just made serious announcement. I hope FireFox will answer of course – and we will get at least one better browser.
@Jim I tried my best, this new browser just caught my attention greatly.
Jim Gaudet
Posted 1254 days ago 4I am not a MAC user, but a very detailed post.
Gujna
Posted 1254 days ago 3Just to reassure others:
-It’s all true!
Screw all web accelerators and that shit.
Chrome is a beast- it swallows up everything I throw to it.
And the speed..
–> beautiful
Some time ago, there was a time when every self-respecting net user had to switch from IE to FF;
I believe that the time is near when FF will be the “second best”.
I just suggest everyone to wait until the FF plugins will work on Chrome and then make Chrome the default browser.
Dainis Graveris
Posted 1254 days ago 2Yeah, I feel the same :) If Chrome will keep up the great work – soon there will be many plugins and yeah..FireFox got some competition :)
ZerroQ
Posted 1254 days ago 1At first i heard rumors about this chrome comming out. When i just took a short look on your post, i simply downloaded it on my home pc… It’s amazing so far..
I have to be honest, haven’t got much time this evening to test it, but it looks kewl to me.