Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
The premise of Opera has always been the same: Develop the fastest, smallest, and most full-featured browser available. Opera maintains the tradition with its latest version. Offering unprecedented speed and low memory usage, Opera is still embarrassing the big browsers by loading most Web pages in a fraction of the time they use.
In addition to fine-tuning speed and performance, the browser includes support for bidirectional languages such as Arabic and Hebrew, a slide-show feature for Web-based photos, and an option that allows users of the free, ad-sponsored version to receive either text-based ads served by Google or generic graphical ads. Other features sweeten the deal, such as spatial navigation, a built-in e-mail client with spam parameters, and IRC chat support. As always, Opera continues to offer good-quality encryption and other security measures.
Although Opera's default interface wastes space with redundant tools that visually overpower the browser window, it is wholly customizable. Skins let you change the browser's look to suit your preferences. Anyone looking at alternate browsers should check out Opera, the leader of the pack.
Opera's latest beta is blazing:Publisher's Description
From Opera Software:
Opera 8.5 is now free. Opera has eliminated the ad banner and license fee completely. It has a pop-up blocker, multiple-window navigation, mouse gestures, keyboard shortcuts, an e-mail client with a spam filter, and integrated search for user security and speed. The cross-platform browser includes IRC-compatible chat, support for RSS newsfeeds, a password manager, and one-click customization and privacy-protection settings. Mouse gestures and keyboard shortcuts allow for accelerated Web navigation while the Fast Forward and Rewind buttons easy browsing. Users can run multiple windows as well as personalize the user interface with one-click skins. The browser also contains special elements for users with disabilities, drag-and-drop support, a notes function, user profiles, and a host of other features. Opera supports the latest in security and provides password and cookie managers.
Version 8.5 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 3,698 votes
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Current version:
4.6 starsout of 270 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"!:.Opera Roxx the WoRLd.:!"
Version: Opera 8.5
Pros
Well, after Opera became free i thought it deserved a try and it turned out great. It used to have adds in it but now that its free, there is no stopping it.
One thing i was impressed with was its default skin, all other browsers have boring old skins but Opera has a sleek and shiny default skin, pretty amazing. Not to mention that there are more skins availible online. It is extremely customizable. Another great thing was its download manager, the quick download feature both make it very easy to use. Some pages which i couldnt open on Firefox surprisingly worked on Opera. Opera is also designed in such a way that there is more browsing space if your monitor is small and that is a good enough for you to give it a try. It is very stable even on slow systems. Is not a memory hog and uses lesser resources then firefox. Opera is safe, slick and quick. I simply prefer it over Firefox. Try it, it brightens up your whole browsing experience.
Cons
You have to buy it to get Premium Support, but i dont think anyone ever would need it because it is too easy and too stable that anyone would have problems with it
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"Best Web Browser"
Version: Opera 8.5
Pros
I Love The Trash And The Wand
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"Oh, SUPERB!!!"
Version: Opera 8.5
Pros
I can't tell you how good is this browser. Totally fast, totally efficient, totally secure, anything is just TOTALLY GOOD!
Cons
If this could be as "eliminative" as Avant to kick out the ads, it would be the best browser ever.
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"Simply the best browser out there"
Version: Opera 8.5
Pros
Opera is simply the best browser out there. Before I used Firefox, but its problems with extensions when updating crazed me. Opera already has all extensions build in its nice little package - so no need to worry about incompatibilities when upgrading. The best thing about Opera is its Zoom-feature. Unlike other browsers it zooms the whole webpage and not only the fonts. That's very nice if you have a screen bigger than XGA (1024*768).
Cons
Simply none
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"it is good at windowsxp"
Version: Opera 8.5
Pros
its features
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"Ranks up there with Firefox.......almost"
Version: Opera 8.5
Pros
Opera is a great web browser don't get me wrong it just seems less user friendly than Firefox. Themes and extensions are not as available and page load times (to me) using high-speed cable internet is not as fast as Firefox. It has an eye pleasing "look" to it, but just seems geared to the more "geekish" surfer. I have both Opera and Firefox on my PC and compare them frequently, and honestly they are both so close in comparison that you really can't go wrong with either. It just depends on your liking.
Cons
Just a bit slower that Firefox with page loads and lack of various extensions and add-ons.
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"A flawless browser"
Version: Opera 8.5
Pros
When Opera 9 comes out, Firefox will be permanetely deleted off my computer. Opera is the fastest (has been proven) and the most easiest on the eyes browser ever. I can't even believe the negative reviews for this software. It's baloney. They are just so closed minded with firefox they can't open their eyes to see that Firefox isn't everything, their ARE better browsers. This being it.
Cons
Nothing too big.
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"Opera...Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"
Version: Opera 8.5
Pros
Everything! I have tested alot of software in my day but never moved away from good ol Internet Explorer. What a chicken. I thouht I would give up security for the use of something else. No need to purchase Roboform. Opera has its own and it is secure. All is well in the Opera House! The Fat Lady Sings. This Browser is a must. Watch out Firefox,(IE7<---lots of problems with this beta)!Just do youself a favor and get Opera!
Cons
It doesn't hold me cigarette while I go to the fridge for internet snacks.
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"Very fast to load the program, and load web pages."
Version: Opera 8.5
Pros
Very sleek and quick browser. It has a distinct look about it and doesn't just edit the IE design. Tabbed browsing is a plus. Very nice browser that I would recommend, especially if you like using things outside of the IE realm.
Cons
I couldn't customise it as much as I wanted to, but I wanted to make it look very different. Some of the pages I tried to load didn't do so correctly (a yahoo fantasy sports players list to be exact).
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"My preferred browser - A1 product"
Version: Opera 8.5
Pros
1. Opera tells you what it is doing which saves a heck of a lot of frustration
2. The picture dowloader is awesome - very quick and fades into top quality in front of your eyes.
3. Good security features and handy mouse gestures.
4. Handy start option to continue from last shutdown position.
Cons
Occasionally overloads but this is caused by the user.
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