CNET Editors' note: This is a beta build of Google Chrome, and may include features that introduce instability to the browser. Use with caution.
Publisher's Description
From Google:
Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the Web faster, safer, and easier. Use one box for everything--type in the address bar and get suggestions for both search and Web pages. Thumbnails of your top sites let you access your favorite pages instantly with lightning speed from any new tab. Desktop shortcuts allow you to launch your favorite Web apps straight from your desktop.
Google Chrome beta is in the Web Browsers category of the Browsers section.
What's new in this version: Version 18.0.1025.11 includes improvements including GPU accelerating 2D Canvas, and enabling 3D content for older GPUs and ensures users have a smooth ride in these graphics-intensive applications.
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"version 17 breaks Google search results"
Version: Google Chrome beta 17.0.963.46
Pros
nothing so far
Cons
You may not want to get this if you like more than 10 results per page in google's search. Somehow it clobbered customized search options on the 2 computers that I upgraded to 17
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"As "slow as molasses in january""
Version: Google Chrome beta 17.0.963.33
Pros
Sharing of my bookmarks across different computers.
It looks, handles, feels, pretty much the same as previous versions.Cons
OK, I have to be fair here: the only browser that runs SUPER FAST on my brand new Windoze7 notebook (a dual core 2ghz with 4GB of RAM) is one called SLIM-Browser (yes, I know it uses IE's engine but it's twice as fast as IE). Chrome runs horribly on this computer. I tried the beta version, in the hopes that it would be faster, that maybe the previous version and my 64-bit OS didn't like each other. Butthis version is just as bad. Opening a website, whether it be igoogle.com, ebay, or anything else I use regularly, either takes very long, or times out giving me an error page, and I have to reload.
I can't help but wonder if it's because I have it empty it's cache on exit... that if it can't rely on cached pages, it's pretty much useless as far as speed is concerned.
I'm no expert, just thinking out loud here and wondering why this is so slow on Windoze7 home 64bit.Summary
I don't find it very exciting, in terms of added functionality or added efficiency or speed. I'm a bit disappointed. I'd like to use it more, because I like the idea of harmonizing my bookmarks and other stuff (I use igoogle and gmail already), but it just doesn't deliver. There seem to be products that work far more efficiently than this on this OS.
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"Was fast and easy before, but now it's turbocharged!"
Version: Google Chrome beta 17.0.963.33
Pros
Could easily tell right away that whatever they did mad it faster. My Internet connection at work is a super-fast T1, but at home I'm tethered to my HTC G1. Sites at home used to take up to 10 seconds or longer. Now there's hardly any difference between home and work. We'll what happens when T-Mobile's throttle kicks in. No problems with stability... no problems with anything.
Cons
No cons at all. Only con goes to those that believe that this beta dl's and updates automatically. It won't do that until it's out of beta.
Summary
I teach in a computer lab, and earlier this year I had the students do "head-to-head" competitions between IE and Chrome. THEY would decide on the lab's default browser. Speed, ease of use, appearance, and start-up time were all considered. Final vote was Chrome... unanimously by 225 students. I had the 4th grade install 17 last week, and when they used it the first time, the most common expression was "Whoa!", followed by and "That IS faster than the old one!" and "I'm glad I made my dad switch to Chrome at home."
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"Chrome is sliding downhill"
Version: Google Chrome beta 17.0.963.26
Pros
beta 17 is kind of bad.
Cons
slower than beta 16, not as smooth, getting more and more bloated.
Summary
chrome is my all time fave. browser but beta 17 is a huge disappointment.
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"No more Shockwave crashes with Beta version"
Version: Google Chrome beta 16.0.912.36
Pros
I have not been able to solve the Shockwave Crash problems in Chrome no matter what I tried. Problem solved with Beta version.
Cons
None that I can find
Summary
Glad crash problem is solved for me.
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"Fast Fast ETC"
Version: Google Chrome beta 16.0.912.36
Pros
Fast. and very fast start up.
Cons
Kinda' hard to figure out.
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"Best Google Yet."
Version: Google Chrome beta 16.0.912.36
Pros
Fast, efficient, and the best Google that I have used so far. Easy to use Under the Hood settings. Search is fast and accurate.
Cons
Haven't found any so far.
Summary
This is the best Google that I have ever used and I am a primary Google user.
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"A big step forward"
Version: Google Chrome beta 16.0.912.32
Pros
Speed, apparent reliability, easy install, importing from IE and other sources very simple, quick and accurate.
Cons
The only - very minor - complaint I have is the sheer number of themes. Too many to search carefully, and no way to preview them accurately - but this is a minor quibble
Summary
What's not to like?
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"Bogs down and crashes too much..."
Version: Google Chrome beta 15.0.874.92
Pros
More cons than Pros right now, the only pros I can think of are... are... are.... weeeeelllll... Can't think of any... I'm not too happy with it!
Cons
Crashes a lot, bogs down, sometimes it takes a long time to upload a page, have to keep installing java each time a page opens... All I know is my computer used to run a lot smoother with the previous version.
Summary
More work to be done Google Chrome people.
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"Finally...a little breathing room."
Version: Google Chrome beta 15.0.874.83
Pros
Design, interface, new ways of grouping apps and bookmarks, speed, security, app store
Cons
themes are a mixed bag.
Summary
I switched to Chrome from FF in December. Then, FF and IE both upgraded drastically. (With most of the major changes seemingly based on Chrome) I used Chrome and FF for a few months, because I liked them both. Then, IE put out it's Bing Bar, which is pretty cool. Basically, all three browsers are really good, but the new Chrome Beta separated itself from the pack. It's virtually the only browser I use these days. Quite excellent. Now, if someone would just design a decent Autumn theme.....
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