Microsoft Edge - Possible Chrome and FF killer

MR.B · 29 May 2015 at 20:56

Anyone tried Edge? The artist formally known as Project Spartan.
Particularly the latest version on Windows 10 build 10130, or atleast 10122. And preferably not in a VM which cripples performance.

I've been benching it: It's faster than Chrome on Octane (Googles own benchmark) JetStream, SunSpider and most other benchmarks :eek:

Other stuff worth mentioning:

It supports the latest 2015 version of ECMAScript (basically the official name for JavaScript) better than any other browser. Scoring 82% in the latest build.

It doesn't have any weird IE rendering quirks.

ActiveX, VBScript, and Browser Helper Objects have all been removed. All IE legacy code has gone (over 200k lines of code) while over 300k lines of code have been added for new features/performance enhancements.

It will have proper extension support + support both Chrome and FF extensions. The problem is that extension support wont be finished in time for Win 10's release in July, but will arrive later this year.

It will be regularly updated through the Windows Store. Not just security patches like with IE, but with new features/performance improvements. Updates are automatic, like all Store apps.

It finally has basic features like an audio icon on tabs with sound playing, and 'Reopen closed tab' when right clicking on a tab.

It syncs everything across devices.

GPU acceleration is far better than any other browser, being as Edge don't support older Windows OS's there's no need for ancient legacy rendering support from the days of XP (Chrome and FF), so it only uses the latest Win 10 text/graphics/UI rendering frameworks.

Being a WinRT/Modern app - all the UI/content scales perfectly with high DPI displays.

Cortana is built in too, which is more useful than it first seems. You can even ask her questions in the address bar.

So has anyone tried the latest version? It's lacking a few small things (like paste and go, or dragging a tab outside to create a new window) but it's shaping up really nicely. They're actually listening to user feedback and constantly adding new stuff (i like to take credit for 'Reopen closed tab'

- Kept bothering them with that and got a lot of votes on it).

Think i'll switch once extension support arrives.

Edit, video:

MR.B · 29 May 2015 at 21:37

Glaucus said:
Haven't really used it as I have one major issue, I can't see a way to enable a favourites bar. Which is essential IMO.
Although if there is a way, let me know.

Settings > 'Show the favourites bar'

MR.B · 30 May 2015 at 06:30

There was a new Win 10 build released last night, 10130. They've not released the ISO yet so you'll have to download 10074 and then update (Settings > Windows Update > Advanced > select 'Fast' for getting preview builds).

Edge has some new UI functionality, and file explorer has shiny new icons..

In order below: Vista/7/8.x icons > Early Win 10 preview > latest Win 10 build

MR.B · 30 May 2015 at 09:05

this_is_gav said:
I've not tried W10 yet so can't check it out, but IE was missing some basic things, such as highlighting text and running a search based off it, or copying a URL and simply using "paste and go" in the address bar. It's the little things.

I agree, but one of those things is there now - You can highlight text and it'll have "Ask Cortana" which is basically a more advanced search + all the added stuff Cortana is capable of. The results also open in a panel to the side so you don't leave the page you're on. IMO it's better.

It don't yet have paste and go but loads of people are asking for it on the feedback app so i doubt it'll be long...

MR.B · 31 May 2015 at 03:35

mortals said:
That microsoft video seems to showcase the ability to draw on websites well

It's called Web Notes. They're messing around in the vid but it's meant for taking notes, either by pen/touch input or typing, then you can share or save them. You can also crop + copy a part of the page (which kinda acts like the Windows Snipping Tool). I think it's good for working in groups, especially web designers, but most people probably wont use it.

MR.B · 31 May 2015 at 17:30

Skeeter said:
Ive been trying to use this as my main browser on W10 but the fact its currently locked to Bing keeps driving me to Chrome. I think thats a mistake by MS as I imagine I'm not the only one not using it because of this.

It's a unfinished preview... They've said they will add this. You can even see the option to change search engine in Settings, but it's greyed out because it's not finished yet.