Mac Internet browsers

[mark_42]

I'm curious about Mac browsers. I've been using Safari since day one and I like it. I haven't any concerns that made me want to look at other browsers and I'd like to know why some people are motivated to look to others. FWIW, I also use Safari under Windows, not because I dislike IE, but just because I'm familiar with Safari.

Mark

[Turboladdade]

I actually have pretty much every browser available installed, from Firefox to Chrome to Camino, and even the last build of Netscape. This is to test web programming projects out in various browsers. I still prefer Safari and use it as my *real* browser. Firefox still doesn't meet my personal definition of having that slick native Mac feel.

The biggest reason I hear from Firefox users when I query their browser choice is the mass number of plugins available for Firefox. Safari users looking longingly over the fence at these goodies might first take a look at Pimp My Safari.

[dmcandel]

Try SeaMonkey, very good browser, very fast and customizable.

[Turboladdade]

SeaMonkey is incredibly slow - definitely the slowest current browser. Think Mozilla Firefox with tons of extra semi-useful crap added on.

[dmcandel]

On my iMac, Seamonkey is faster that any browser i have used including Safari, although i use Safari exclusively

[mark_42]

I just started using Safari 5 and I like it quite a lot. I especially like the new Reader feature.

I also stumbled across a website that tests a browser's HTML5 capabilities. (html5test.com) I ran the few browsers (latest versions) I have here and checked their HTML5 capabilities and here is what I found:

HTML5 test

Safari 5 - 208+7
Chrome 5.0.375.70 - 197+7
Firefox 3.6.3 - 139+4
Safari iPad - 127+7
SeaMonkey 2.0.4 - 126+4
Safari iPhone - 125+7
Internet Explorer 8 - 27+0 

[Turboladdade]

What do those results mean? 208+7?

[mark_42]

The score can go up to 300 with bonus points being added for supporting things supported but not required by the current HTML5 specification.

[Michele1471]

I am a relatively new mac convert. I downloaded firefox because I hear so much rave about it. I have not taken the tome to truly discover safari. Is it truly more efficient than firefox? I know it was much more efficient than internet explorer... but then I was not a fan of IE.

[Turboladdade]

Safari generally has the edge over Firefox in speed, compliance, and Mac OS X integration.

[mark_42]

As a rule of thumb, it's a good idea to use software written by Apple on their computers. The integration with the OS is guaranteed to be more complete. That being said, I've never heard anything bad said about Firefox. I've just never had a reason to use it on OS X. I am, however using it on Ubuntu along with Google Chrome, trying to decide which I like better. If you like Firefox, just keep using it. I just recommend keeping a copy of Safari around just in case. I use Safari on Windows but keep a copy of IE handy for just the same reason.

Mark