Apple Says Safari 4 is World's Fastest Browser
Apple boasts Safari 4 is faster than both IE8 and Firefox 3.
It was Apple’s big day with plenty of Mac and iPhone related news, but there was a lone piece of Windows-compatible software that also made it out – Safari 4.
Apple released a beta version of Safari 4 in February of this year, and the final version today with its “Nitro engine” runs JavaScript up to 4.5 times faster than Safari 3.
When compared to other browsers, Apple boasts that Safari 4’s JavaScript is up to eight times faster than IE 8 and more than four times faster than Firefox 3; and Safari 4 loads HTML web pages more than three times faster than IE 8 and three times faster than Firefox 3.
Safari 4 includes HTML 5 support for offline technologies and support for advanced CSS Effects. Apple at the WWDC was also proud to point out that Safari 4 is the first browser to pass the Web Standards Project's Acid3 test.
Safari is built off of WebKit, which is the open source browser engine that’s also used by popular mobile browsers and even Google’s Chrome. It’s interesting that Apple chose to compare Safari 4 against IE8 and Firefox 3, but left out comparisons with Chrome 2.
Both PC and Mac users can download Safari 4 free of charge here (as soon as Apple updates the site).

Also the fact that it says it 100%'d acid3 is interesting... IMO their isn't even a point comparing it to the absolutely terrible peice of shit that IE8 is... fuck I hate internet explorer. My hate for Microsoft is only topped by my hate for their internet explorer software... ruining web dev.
dude like chrome runs 3d smoothly in javascript! No other browser that I have tested does this... the Safari beta was no exception.
Yeah right. Opera 10a did that a long time ago. And it's alpha, imagine what it'll do when it'll be ready.
I won't use anything they make, ever, period. I have no problems with Firefox, there's no reason to give them a chance. Apple = pwn2own fail crew
It's in FF 3.5 betas already, and it's more like an improvement of the current SpiderMonkey engine than a full rewrite. Still, it's at least 50% faster in all cases, and in some up to 40x.
They have always claimed to be the fastest and best in everything, computers, phones, Mp3 players, but when you actually compare the hardware and software you get dumped cold like Steve Jobs and his little lackeys did at their High school proms.
/sarcasm
"On 25 September 2008, a development version of Safari was the first browser to produce a smooth animation on the reference hardware, and thus was the first to fully pass the Acid3 test. Opera, having its own issues with smooth-animation Acid3 performance, has not yet passed."
Netscape challenged mammon, and Netscape starts winning, with each fist shreading the armor of mammon, revealing mammon's vulnerable flesh, but is eventually destroyed when mammon counters, lacerating the flesh needed for the function of life. The phoenix has been defeated. While mammon slept, the defeated warrior resurrected once again to finish the battle. The phoenix knew the battle was far from over. The phoenix resurrected in the form of a fox. Mammon underestimated the slyness of the fox, laughing at its apparant weakness, and the fox used deceit and stealth to grab mammon's throat when least expected. The phoenix now bites at mammon's throat, and every time someone shreds the rough scales of mammon for the soft comforting and caring fur of the fox, mammon feels the sharp teeth of the phoenix bite ever so slightly more into the arteries that keep him alive. The phoenix may be destroyed once again, but just like before, will be reborn in a ceremony of fire, burning all who dare interfere, rightly so. Mammon has done great, mammon has done historic things. Mammon however isn't the answer to all problems in life, and does not understand that. The phoenix is reborn with unseen spirit and support every time because it rekindles the fire in our hearts. The phoenix contributes to all, and all can contribute to the phoenix, giving our offerings to force the fire to burn everso hotter. The phoenix loves us, and thus we love it back. Mammon does not know love, it is only cold steel produced for profit.
Okay, I'll stop...
Oh yeah, FireFox also has a robot, beat that Microsoft!
I use FireFox because of the original Netscape vs. Microsoft battle.
I use FireFox and I'm devoted to the cause. I love Microsoft dearly, but sometimes they should take into account why Netscape managed to push back orignially.
I do believe the European lawsits were going to far. Having a OS without a browser to download FF in the first place sounds horrid.
If I ever were to down Netscape, it would be for Google. From all I've seen, Chrome so far is amazing. I have no want nor need for Safari of Internet Explorer. I understand those already comfortable with it may prefer to, but ertainly not me.
Oh yeah, FireFox also has ADBlocker. No way to dis that. It is horrid going to a website, giving you twenty flash adds, draining all resources, all blinking several colours, almost inducing a seizure.
Plus I like open source. If you find a problem and know how to, just fix it. Though I don't care for the feel of Opera, but it's still a feasible option.
Yeah, it will get a score of 101 out of 100.
I am now back with IE8.
I didn't notice that it was faster. Another Apple half truth?
I also tried Firefox.
I can easily support their claim to be the fastest, but they lack in everything else, minus the shiny graphics (depending on your preference.) The only browser I can recommend them over is IE.
Still nothing quite compares to FF, except of coarse Opera.