As a general proposition, this is not true. One each Mac that I have tried, all browsers are roughly equal in speed. If you see a dramatic speed difference in your setup, then it is an issue that is specific to your setup.
Whatever you say. The benchmarks indicate that Safari is either faster or uses less memory. Wired clams that Firefox is slightly better for running Google Web Apps, but otherwise Safari blows it out of the water.
The speed comparisons seem to have more to do with the pages you visit than the setup you have, but the only comprehensive test I've found (top) shows a healthy speed bonus. Whatever. I'm not trying to stop you from using Firefox, but unlike its namesake it's clearly not built with an emphasis on speed.
Safari is my main browser but I do sometimes use Firefox for those few sites that don't play nice with Safari. I guess the reason I prefer Safari is I'm more used to it.
Just download and try both. As said before you don't really have to choose since both browsers are free.
I prefer using firefox because of the options it gives me. I can basically customize everything I want, be it the looks or the functionality. I haven't noticed any of the "slowness" in comparison to safari that apple's marketing-division want's me to notice, but that might just be my system that's slow in general
I'm typing this in firefox 3 beta 2, and I'm happy to report the download manager and some of the other stuff you are promoting in safari is all here, and it seems to work smooth
but as a final note, I must admit that my firefox is redesigned ( or at least the 2.something version was) to look like safari
Whatever you say. The benchmarks indicate that Safari is either faster or uses less memory. Wired clams that Firefox is slightly better for running Google Web Apps, but otherwise Safari blows it out of the water.
...
You have to be kidding. First off, the comparison is between an obsolete version of Safari and an obsolete version of Firefox. That said, the only significant difference is in "cold start" speed--whatever that means. In the three website benchmarks, Safari 2.0.4 loads google.com.au, digg.com, and abc.net.au in 2.0s, 4.5s, and 1.8s, respectively. On the same sites, Firefox 2.0 loads the same sites in 2.0s, 4.7s, and 1.7s, respectively. Other the three site benchmarks, in one they are exactly even; in the second, Safari is 0.2s faster; and in the third, Firefox is 0.1s faster.
This shows the folly of wanking-off to benchmarks. If you make decisions based on timing differences of 0.2 seconds or less, then you need to drive down to your nearest big-box discount store and get a life.
I use the 9.5 betas on my PC laptop and Mini, and it flys - as fast as Safari, but with more features. I do also use FF, but usually only for a few particular extensions. I like Camino too, as it's more Macish, but doesn't support any standard FF extenstions.
I personally have no love of Safari. It's fast, but I hate how it behaves on all my computers.
This shows the folly of wanking-off to benchmarks. If you make decisions based on timing differences of 0.2 seconds or less, then you need to drive down to your nearest big-box discount store and get a life.
Why are you so upset? Do you contribute to Firefox or something? The first link is current and shows a much better figure than 0.2s. THe second was for completeness and memory use. Both webpages took Google about 0.2s seconds to find, so I assure you that I am neither "wanking off to benchmarks" or in some dire need of "a life."
Plus, 8s start up is fucking annoying. Especially in Windows, when I'm never sure if it's just slow or if Windows failed to receive my mouse click.
Within the margin of error, that site's benchmarks confirm my experience. I'm not upset at all. I do think that it is silly to give any significance to time differences that are of the order of the blink of an eye.
I prefer the way FF handles tabs. I like the look, double click to open a new tab, middle click to close tab, undo close tab (big one), and also it has a lot more add-ons and extensions.
I didn't see it mentioned, but I use Camino almost all the time. Seems to render as fast as Safari. I don't even have Firefox on my Macbook Air at the moment.
I've used Firefox since its public release, but I have to say, I haven't even downloaded it on my new Macbook. I use Safari exclusively now...even on my Windows box.
But, just try both out and see what you personally like.
Comments
As a general proposition, this is not true. One each Mac that I have tried, all browsers are roughly equal in speed. If you see a dramatic speed difference in your setup, then it is an issue that is specific to your setup.
Whatever you say. The benchmarks indicate that Safari is either faster or uses less memory. Wired clams that Firefox is slightly better for running Google Web Apps, but otherwise Safari blows it out of the water.
Here's one for the Windows Beta of Safari that shows a speed bonus.
Here's one on a mac mini that shows the memory usage.
The speed comparisons seem to have more to do with the pages you visit than the setup you have, but the only comprehensive test I've found (top) shows a healthy speed bonus. Whatever. I'm not trying to stop you from using Firefox, but unlike its namesake it's clearly not built with an emphasis on speed.
Safari is my main browser but I do sometimes use Firefox for those few sites that don't play nice with Safari.
Yeah like digg
I prefer using firefox because of the options it gives me. I can basically customize everything I want, be it the looks or the functionality. I haven't noticed any of the "slowness" in comparison to safari that apple's marketing-division want's me to notice, but that might just be my system that's slow in general
I'm typing this in firefox 3 beta 2, and I'm happy to report the download manager and some of the other stuff you are promoting in safari is all here, and it seems to work smooth
but as a final note, I must admit that my firefox is redesigned ( or at least the 2.something version was) to look like safari
Whatever you say. The benchmarks indicate that Safari is either faster or uses less memory. Wired clams that Firefox is slightly better for running Google Web Apps, but otherwise Safari blows it out of the water.
...
You have to be kidding. First off, the comparison is between an obsolete version of Safari and an obsolete version of Firefox. That said, the only significant difference is in "cold start" speed--whatever that means. In the three website benchmarks, Safari 2.0.4 loads google.com.au, digg.com, and abc.net.au in 2.0s, 4.5s, and 1.8s, respectively. On the same sites, Firefox 2.0 loads the same sites in 2.0s, 4.7s, and 1.7s, respectively. Other the three site benchmarks, in one they are exactly even; in the second, Safari is 0.2s faster; and in the third, Firefox is 0.1s faster.
This shows the folly of wanking-off to benchmarks. If you make decisions based on timing differences of 0.2 seconds or less, then you need to drive down to your nearest big-box discount store and get a life.
I use the 9.5 betas on my PC laptop and Mini, and it flys - as fast as Safari, but with more features. I do also use FF, but usually only for a few particular extensions. I like Camino too, as it's more Macish, but doesn't support any standard FF extenstions.
I personally have no love of Safari. It's fast, but I hate how it behaves on all my computers.
This shows the folly of wanking-off to benchmarks. If you make decisions based on timing differences of 0.2 seconds or less, then you need to drive down to your nearest big-box discount store and get a life.
Why are you so upset? Do you contribute to Firefox or something? The first link is current and shows a much better figure than 0.2s. THe second was for completeness and memory use. Both webpages took Google about 0.2s seconds to find, so I assure you that I am neither "wanking off to benchmarks" or in some dire need of "a life."
Plus, 8s start up is fucking annoying. Especially in Windows, when I'm never sure if it's just slow or if Windows failed to receive my mouse click.
HEY GOOGLE FIX THE EMAIL.
Why are you so upset? ...
Within the margin of error, that site's benchmarks confirm my experience. I'm not upset at all. I do think that it is silly to give any significance to time differences that are of the order of the blink of an eye.
...FIREFOX is definatley more reliable.
is there an ad blocker for Safari.. that's the only deal breaker for me at the moment
I haven't tried it myself, but a friend recommended it...
SafariBlock
I prefer the way FF handles tabs. I like the look, double click to open a new tab, middle click to close tab, undo close tab (big one), and also it has a lot more add-ons and extensions.
Pleased with Safari and Camino, sometimes frustrated by Firefox on how it renders. But I like controlling iTunes through FoxyTunes.
I love to use this browser.
and it does have a Mac version.
have a look.
firefox works, so until safari can deal with gmail, i use firefox, but prefer safari
But, just try both out and see what you personally like.