Google Chrome Review

I'm a bit of a browser geek. Before Google Chrome came out, I already had Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari and Opera on my computer, just because I like variety - well, that, and my computer is a Celeron-powered slug that was bought in 2002, so browsers very easily crash on my computer.

When I found out Google had released Chrome, I decided to try it out. Opera was cool but had its own quirks, Internet Explorer sucked in general, and Firefox had large memory leaks that loaded down my CPU after enough time using it. Netscape is, by now, a clone of Firefox, and both have the same verdict - good browsers but memory leaks ruin it after a few hours (yes, I'm a net addict, sue me). Apple Safari for Windows was VERY unique in its setup but compatibility issues rose with certain websites, so sometimes it was a burden.

Chrome was, unlike most browsers, a VERY quick download, light on memory, so it was a quick and easy setup. As I learned later, it's actually based off the Webkit architecture, the same as Apple Safari.

So I open it up, and start surfing around. Safari is what it reminds me of most - the graphics are unique and done-up compared to the gray monotony of Firefox and Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera etc.The interface is very different from any of the others - it's not cluttered with toolbars and button bars. It's very open, simple and minimalistic, same as Google stuff usually is. If I'm getting into my websurfing, I forget the browser is even there.

A feature that I really like is the "most visited websites" feature - when you're on a blank screen, a tab shows your 8 most visited websites, as well as your recent history, so you have very easy access to your most frequently-visited websites. Being as I post on a number of forums, I quite enjoyed this feature.

And of course, there's also the "invisible browsing" or whatever they call that feature that is used for porn (that no browser manufacturer ever wants to admit to), but I don't use that.

And as you can see, there are some very nice themes that are now available for Chrome - much more graphical than the Firefox/etc themes.

Oh, and as for that CPU strain? So far, Google Chrome ranks best in my personal testing - I can have 30 or however many tabs open and it still doesn't significantly slow down, even on my old-ass computer. Only Apple Safari can claim that too - Firefox and Opera get too bogged down by a lot of tabs and a lot of browsing time. Internet Explorer just gets bogged down by practically anything.

Oh, and Chrome is secure, blocks pop-ups and spyware, and all of that good stuff. Bottom line is, anything but Internet Explorer is pretty safe to use when it comes to spyware and malware - simply for the fact that the writers of such scum are going to program it to target the most widely-used browser, and Internet Explorer is just that.

And now, back to my Chrome browsing. If you choose to download it, just go to Google's site and do it. Enjoy!