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- Excellent tab features
- Minimizes crash problems
- Privacy option
- Good security
- Slow installation and operation
- Uses a lot of CPU and memory
For those who like using Internet Explorer, reviews recommend upgrading to Internet Explorer 8 as long as the computer is fairly new and powerful. Tests find that IE8 is slower than Firefox, Chrome and Opera, and that it uses more system resources. However, this latest version of Internet Explorer comes with excellent features built in, with significant improvements over IE7 – including private browsing, context-sensitive right click, color-coded tabs (with related tabs moved together) and improved security and search features. Each tab operates separately so if a site crashes, only that tab closes. Firefox 3 lacks this feature but can restore tabs after a crash.
We found the best reviews of Internet Explorer 8 at TechRadar.com, PC World magazine and Softpedia.com – all of which cover the beta 2 version and compare it with Google Chrome plus the latest version of Firefox 3.1 beta. Softpedia.com also compares Internet Explorer 8 with the latest version of Opera 9.6 beta. The Wall Street Journal's Walter Mossberg reviews IE8 in comparison with Firefox 3 and Chrome. But the reviews at PC Magazine and CNet.com are partly outdated because they cover the first beta version, not the second.
Our Sources
This review tests three beta versions of new web browsers – Firefox 3.1, Google Chrome and Internet Explorer 8 – on both a high-powered new computer and an older machine. IE8 is ranked last because it's so much slower to install and use and takes more memory – but it earns kudos for its security features and improvements over IE7.
Review: Web Tested: Google Chrome vs. IE8 vs. Firefox 3.1, Editors of TechRadar.com, Sept. 4, 2008
This review covers the beta 2 version of Internet Explorer 8 and praises its security, privacy and search features. However, it's much slower than Chrome and Firefox 3, and it's not as crash-proof as Chrome, Raphael writes.
Review: Browser Battle: Firefox 3.1 vs. Chrome vs. IE8, JR Raphael, Sept. 9, 2008
The second beta version of IE8 earns a "Softpedia Pick" award, with praise for its privacy features. However, the average user rating is lower than those for Chrome, Opera 9.6 (beta) and Firefox 3.1.
Review: Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2, Editors of Softpedia.com, Aug. 27, 2008
Mossberg says Firefox 3 is still the best browser. He finds Internet Explorer 8 (beta) to be much slower. IE8 has superb tabbed browsing, privacy features and crash protection, but it's so standards-compliant that some older websites don't display properly without the Compatibility View button.
Review: Google Redefines Web Browser, Walter S. Mossberg, Sept. 2, 2008
This detailed preview is partly outdated because it covers the beta 1 version, judging it to be too crash-prone and undeveloped – especially in its major new features – to be compared with other major browsers. Security is still very good, but IE8 often uses far too much CPU power.
Review: Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1, Michael Muchmore, Mar. 6, 2008
6. CNET
This older review also covers the beta 1 version of IE8. Vamosi notes that IE8 scans each page for malware, a security improvement over Internet Explorer 7 – but doesn't give specifics of any threat found. Optional integration with eBay, Facebook, Windows Live and other major sites could prove useful.
Review: Internet Explorer 8 Beta, Robert Vamosi, Mar. 6, 2008
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