Web browsers compared; Opera comes out on top

Many PC buyers assume there is one way to get onto the Internet — Internet Explorer. It’s already on the desktop, it seems to work, so why mess with a good thing?

But these days there are many choices when it comes to browsers, and even casual Internet users should be aware of the alternatives.

TECHNOBUDDY

E-mail Bill Husted

Related:
• Bill's computer tips
• More Business news

More Technobuddy

• When repairs are in order, replacing may be cheaper 
• Shocks, dirt, heat, impact can all kill your computer 
• 10 secrets that'll make you a computer genius 
• Got an old computer? Use it for spare parts 
• Some PC fixes don't require special skills 

Beyond Microsoft’s Explorer, the roster of major players now includes Safari (from Apple but usable on PCs), Firefox (from Mozilla), Chrome (a new entrant from Google) and Opera (from Opera Software). And there are relatively obscure choices such as Camino, Epiphany and the cute-sounding SeaMonkey. The list goes on. Here’s a fairly complete roster: http://tinyurl.com/eed8b.

Most of us don’t want to spend a lifetime sampling browsers. All we want is one that’s fast, doesn’t crash often and offers some protection against malware and hackers.

Unfortunately, seldom does a week pass without a news story about a new security flaw or breach in Explorer, the most commonly used browser. No doubt, Explorer’s popularity has made it a prime target for hackers. It isn’t fair, but it’s reality. I hear from more and more users who get queasy about using Explorer.

So I’ve spent some time with each of the major browsers to find my favorites.

Before I tell you what I think, let’s be clear: The test lab at Technobuddy Ranch and Spa is limited to an old tube tester and a glow-in-the-dark Batman decoder ring. So, where needed, I will steer you to sites that have made extensive efforts to test browsers side by side. My impressions are mainly just that — impressions. I’d love to hear yours.

Speed

Explorer seems — and tests back this up — downright slow vs. the others. Here’s one of the many speed tests from the Web that, like most I saw, rates Explorer last in many speed categories: http://tinyurl.com/3ypjb4. You’ll notice a difference in speed when you compare Explorer to other browsers.

Subjectively, Opera felt the fastest of any of the browsers I used, with Firefox, Chrome and Safari in the middle.

Reliability

Explorer does better here. One reason is that many Web pages are designed to perform best with Explorer because so many people use it. That’s an advantage. I had the fewest page-loading glitches or crashes with Explorer.

No browser will be flawless, however. At times, with Explorer or any of the challengers, I ran into problems such as out-of-whack type sizes or weird characters. Those are annoyances. It’s more of an issue when some pages simply don’t work, as happened when I tried to order a sweater from L.L. Bean using Opera.

Security

Here’s where my testing inadequacies really show. I have no way of judging browser security. Even when experts try, the results can be confusing.

I’ll give you a link to one test I consider reputable, though it measures only password security: http://tinyurl.com/8e2wyn. The big news from this test was the poor performance by Chrome. Safari also did poorly compared to Explorer or Opera.

The most important thing to know is this: Keeping your browser updated — no matter what you use — is your best defense against hackers. That will assure you have the latest version with any upgrades to foil them.

And one kudo to Microsoft. While Explorer is a prime target, it also has a decent track record of quickly issued patches to fix flaws.

Intangibles

At the end of the day a good Web browser — like a good waiter — should serve you with no hassles and then fade into the background and leave you to enjoy the meal.

So your decision will, in part, come down to which browser looks and feels best. That can include features such as the way tabs and other tools work, or even just the way the page looks. Don’t ignore these. It’s not a stretch to say you’ll use the Internet more productively if you’re comfortable with your browser.

Me, I wound up an Opera fan. It’s fast and has features I like, which make it my personal choice in the browser derby. Still, there have been a few times — especially when I tried to fill out online forms — that the page was unreadable and I had to shift to Explorer.

So I use my new favorite most of the time, with Explorer in reserve. Sometimes the oldest waiter at the restaurant can be the most reliable.