Firefox 3.0 beta vs. Safari 3.1: The Debate continues

Picture: Apple

Recently there have been reports that the new Firefox 3.0 beta 5 is faster than Safari 3.1, which Apple claims to be the fastest browser around. While the methods used to arrive to the previous conclusion have since proven slightly problematic, Firefox 3.0 Beta remains a major challenger and rival for Safari 3.1 on Windows. Internet Explorer does not enter the discussion, even though over 50% of all internet users are using some version it. But how do the two cutting edge browsers, namely, Safari and Firefox, and their two newest versions Safari 3.1 and Firefox 3.0 beta 5, respectively, stack up against each other so far? Not just in terms of speed, where we looked at a comparison earlier, but in terms of the interface, usage, and convenience as well. One reviewer gives us his on hand impressions.

Perhaps the largest advantage the reviewer found with Safari 3.1 was the interface and design. Many people have grown fond of it, so that a Firefox application was even designed earlier to mimic it. Nonetheless, even with these copy applications, Safari 3.1 retains a lead on Firefox in the appearance department. While the reviewer is conducting his review from a Mac perspective, many of his points hold for windows users too. For example, Firefox doesn’t support the useful system wide dictionary, which pops up the definition of any word after clicking on it with a certain shortcut key. Safari also displays more information regarding surfing history directly from the browser without having to open up a new window like in Firefox. The reviewer lists Firefox’s memory management as one of its main strengths and claims it is much more efficient than Safari’s. Of course, we know from our previous article that Safari is “faster” when it comes to Java processing and the iBench tests. Firefox remains a worthy competitor to Safari, and especially Firefox 3.0 beta 5, but both browsers will need to develop further before a real judgement can be made.