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Those in the Microsoft camp point to Internet Explorer’s pedigree and long-time support for Web standards as proof that it’s a winner. Those on Google’s side take issue with Internet Explorer’s security troubles to make their case.
But so far, the definitive blow has yet to come down.
Even so, the path to victory appears to be far more clear-cut for Chrome than Internet Explorer. The Google browser has a lot of really great things going for it. From a design perspective, it’s hard not to be impressed by its stripped-down design and support for so many Web standards. Simply put, Chrome is easily one of the top browsers on the market today, and at this point, a far better option than Internet Explorer.
Don’t think so? Want to find out why? Flip through the following slides to learn more about Chrome’s unique value proposition in today’s hotly contested browser market:
Internet Explorer vs Chrome
1. Design, Design, Design
When it comes time to compare Internet Explorer and Google Chrome, the biggest difference users will find is their design. Google Chrome is built with the latest Web ideas in mind, boasting both usability and a sleek look. Internet Explorer, on the other hand, is crowded and still clings to outdated design elements. To today’s Web users, that matters.
2. Security
Microsoft has always been criticized for its security troubles. And the outcry over the company’s security woes with Internet Explorer have been its biggest issue. Chrome, on the other hand, is widely viewed as a largely secure browser that can trump Internet Explorer on that front. That matters.
3. Speed Matters
When people head to a browser and try to open a Web page, the software that can display a site sooner rather than later will be most likely to gain their affection. In my experience, Chrome is the fastest browser on the market, loading Web pages far more quickly than Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Opera. If speed matters to you, go with Chrome. You’ll be happy you did.
4. The Market Knows Something
One of the best ways to determine whether a browser is right for you or not is to look at what other people are doing. And although Internet Explorer is still tops in the market, Chrome is gaining ground in a big way. Earlier this year, it had more usage on one day than Internet Explorer, before Microsoft regained the intraday lead the next day. If more people are heading to Chrome, why shouldn’t you?
5. Simplicity Matters
Remember that mention on design? Well, a key component in the Chrome user experience is simplicity. Google’s browser tries to make it simple for users to surf the Web, save bookmarks, search the Web with the Omnibox, and more. Microsoft has come a long way in making Internet Explorer simpler, but it’s still not there.
6. Syncing
Although syncing bookmarks and browsing history is possible on a host of browsers with extensions, Chrome has that built in, thanks to the “Sign in to Chrome” feature. Having all of your data synced across all of your computers is a nice option that you shouldn’t overlook.
7. Microsoft’s Commitment
It’s hard to figure what Microsoft really wants from Internet Explorer. The browser is slowly but surely becoming less important to Microsoft’s bottom line. And with Europe taking issue with the software giant bundling it with Windows, it might not be able to maintain such dominant market share over the long haul. Microsoft will continue to offer Internet Explorer for the foreseeable future, but don’t expect it to be as important to the company as it once was.
8. History Matters
When deciding between Internet Explorer and Chrome, a glance at history must play a role. Microsoft’s browser has been a security nightmare for both companies and consumers, and it has lacked many of the features those folks are after. Chrome, on the other hand, has been consistent at delivering security, speed, and a solid featureset. That should count for something.
9. Platform Agnosticism
Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is available only on Windows, making it an immediate loser for those running Mac OS X or Linux. Chrome, on the other hand, is complete platform agnostic, and is just as capable on Windows as Mac OS X. For multi-platform environments, that’s an important consideration to keep in mind.
10. Where’s the Unique Value Proposition?
When it’s all said and done, consumers choose one product over another because of a unique value proposition. So, what makes Microsoft so special that it’s a must-use? It helps customers surf the Web, save bookmarks, and can only run on Windows. That doesn’t sound all that unique, does it?
A constant debate has emerged in the browser market over the last few years over which platform — Google Chrome or Microsoft’s Internet Explorer — is better.