Microsoft Internet Explorer is a fast and powerful browser, and makes modest use of your system resources, though it lacks the flexibility of Firefox and Chrome 5. Microsoft Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer for Mac was Microsoft's free web browser designed to run on Mac computers. While you can still download Internet Explorer for Mac from this page, it is important to note that the product is no longer supported by Microsoft. A browser surrounded by nostalgia. For all it’s worth, Microsoft did make history with its renowned Internet Explorer 11. We searched each browser’s privacy and security settings for pop-up blockers, privacy browsers, whether search history could be cleared and if the browser saved our passwords. The best internet browsers have these tools and settings clearly marked and easy to find listed in setting folders. If you need to pretend you're using Internet Explorer, choose one of the Internet Explorer options. If you need to pretend you're using a PC, choose 'Google Chrome — Windows' or 'Firefox — Windows'.
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Following on from the excellent work carried out by my colleague, Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols, where he benchmarked browsers running on Windows 7 and Windows 10, I've taken a look at how well browsers run on OS X 10.11 'El Capitan.'
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So, which is the best browser for your Mac?
The system
- Mac mini (Late 2012)
- 2.3GHz Intel Core i7 CPU
- 16GB of 1600MHz DDR3 RAM
- Intel HD Graphics 4000
- 1TB SATA hard drive
- OS X 10.11.2
The browsers
- Safari 9.0.2
- Chrome 47
- Firefox 43
- Opera 34
The tests
- JetStream 1.1: A JavaScript benchmark that includes benchmarks from the SunSpider 1.0.2 and Octane 2 JavaScript benchmark suites. Larger scores are better.
- Kraken-1.1: An updated version of the SunSpider benchmark. Lower scores are better.
- Octane 2.0: A JavaScript test that includes tests that focus on interactive scripting. Higher scores are better.
- RoboHornet: This benchmark claims it 'encompasses all aspects of browser performance and everything that matters to web developers, like performance of layout and localStorage.' Higher scores are better.
- HTML5 Test: A web standards compliance test. The maximum score is 550, and a higher score is better.
These tests were run multiple times to ensure consistency.
The results
I've added a checkmark next to the benchmarks won by each browser:
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See also: 7 steps to speed up Google Chrome
Safari
- JetStream 1.1: 152.10 ✔
- Kraken-1.1: 2,583.82
- Octane 2.0: 22,158
- RoboHornet: 148.22 ✔
- HTML 5 test: 400
Chrome
- JetStream 1.1: 142.50
- Kraken-1.1: 2,442.44 ✔
- Octane 2.0: 23,928
- RoboHornet: 126.12
- HTML 5 test: 521 ✔
Firefox
- JetStream 1.1: 135.66
- Kraken-1.1: 2,882.82
- Octane 2.0: 23,402
- RoboHornet: 118.23
- HTML 5 test: 468
Opera
- JetStream 1.1: 147,68
- Kraken-1.1: 2,931.11
- Octane 2.0: 24,662 ✔
- RoboHornet: 125.75
- HTML 5 test: 520
The bottom line
If you want the fastest browser then the browser you should be using on your Mac is Safari. It won two of the benchmark speed tests, while Chrome only won the one. Pretty clear win for Safari.
If you want the browser displaying the best standards compliance, then go with Chrome since it was the winner in the HTML5 test.
Moving from the artificial world of benchmarks into the real world, I have to be honest and say I can't feel much of a speed difference no matter which browser I use. Even running something like Internet Explorer or Edge through on a virtual machine on the Mac doesn't feel all that bad to be honest.
No matter which browser you use, they're all pretty darn fast. But if you want to be running the fastest browser on your Mac, run Safari.
See also:
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Cloud Big Data Analytics Innovation Tech and Work Collaboration DeveloperYou might not have been aware that IE can still be used in Windows 10. In this beginners guide we show you how to easily get to it anytime you want.
Activate Cortana either by saying 'Hey Cortana, open Internet Explorer,' or by typing in the box if you're not using voice or have Cortana disabled. Internet Explorer will show up immediately to be opened for use. To avoid doing this every time you want to use Internet Explorer, follow these simple steps.
- Type 'Internet Explorer' in the Cortana/Search box. (Saying 'Hey Cortana, open Internet Explorer' isn't useful here.)
- Right click on Internet Explorer in the Cortana/Search window.
- To add Internet Explorer as a tile on your Start Menu click Pin to Start.
- To keep it on your taskbar simply click Pin to taskbar.
Now, every time you need to use IE it's just a click away.
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If you don't want to add extra clutter to your taskbar or don't use the search box at all, here's where else you can find it.
- Open the Start Menu.
- Scroll down to Windows Accessories.
- Open the folder.
- Launch Internet Explorer.
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Whichever method you use, you'll now be able to access the old browser if you really need it.
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Updated March 11, 2019: We checked this guide to ensure it's up to date for 2019.