IE 7 Beta 2 Review

Good, Very Good!

Published on February 4, 2006 By Larry Kuperman In Internet

Microsoft has released for public download the second Beta of the next version of their Internet browser. I have downloaded and installed the Beta 2 of IE7 (Internet Explorer 7) and so far I like the experience very much.

Key Features: Tabbed Browsing, a Streamlined (and highly configurable) user interface, greatly improved security, RSS feed support, toolbar search box. For a full feature list see Link (Some IE7 features will not be available until Vista rolls out.

Killer Feature: Quick tabs, thumb nail view of the tabs that you have open.

If you have used Firefox, the experience will be immediately familiar. Set up was easy, configuration was intuitive. The tabs look the way I have my tabs set in Firefox (I use Tab Mix Plus) and useage was familiar. IE 7 install also optionally runs the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool at installation,which was a nice touch, I thought.

I configured the search box immediately, choosing Google over MSN Seach without problem.

Memory usage still seems higher than for Firefox. IE7 with two tabs open: 67 Mb. Firefox 1.5.0.1 with the same two tabs: 47 Mb. If anyone gets different results, I would like to see them.

As mentioned before, security is GREATLY improved. Tools> Manage Add Ons lets you see what is running and gives you the option of Enabling/Disabling an Add On or deleting it all together. There are also built-in links for a number of Add Ons, including security ones, at http://windowsmarketplace.com/content.aspx?ctId=63 You can get Pop Up blockers, anti-Spyware programs, etc.

The interface is way cleaner, although you can easily go back the IE6 "classic" look if you want. See Link

IE7 is obviously intended to go head to head with Mozilla's Firefox. In my not-so-humble opinion, it is competitive. It doesn't blow Firefox away, but it is much better than IE6.

Take the full tour at Link

Comments (Page 5)

CDAV

on Feb 27, 2006

It;s, ok, although it did knock out a few things from working properly. G-mail notifer, no work now, no mail button and had to reset some setting;s as far as programs loading on startup, I won't be useing it on my other puters, just yet. Now that I have Mcafee on one I don't think I'll be useing IE7, untill futher reveiws.

kjay528

on Mar 02, 2006

I finnally got IE7 to open up, I opened it without addons and the turned addon after it loaded, been playing with for awhile seems to be ok we will see, thanks any way all.

zergimmi

on Mar 04, 2006

It's getting there, but still trails the pack, Firefox, Sea Monkey, Netscape 8.1 and Opera still way ahead, its always hard to take the lead when all the others have been there done that I suppose.

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