Member Avatar for happygeek

I see that the favorite browser of the Apple Mac fanboy, Safari, has arrived for Windows users according to this DaniWeb blog entry.

I have just downloaded it and will be giving it a whirl myself, and will be interested to see how the claims of being the fastest Windows browser stack up in real world use.

It has been an interesting few days for web browsers, what with Netscape Navigator 9 getting a Beta 1 release as well.

Can't see any of them making much of an impact upon IE, or Firefox for that matter though.

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Safari’s Windows debut was Apple’s Safari 3 public beta (announced June 11, 2007). Apple pushed speed and standards support in the announcement, but independent tests at the time showed mixed results — useful context if you’re evaluating whether to keep it around. Apple press release (apple.com)

For the “doesn’t play Flash/Java/plugins” problem raised above, try this checklist first:

  • Install the vendor runtimes from their official sites (Adobe Flash / Oracle Java) and run their installers.
  • In Safari open Preferences -> Security and ensure “Allow Plug-ins” is enabled; then use Website Settings (or the plug‑in area) to Allow or Ask for the site you’re testing.
  • Restart Safari after installation. If a plugin still doesn’t show, reinstall the plugin and verify it works in another browser to rule out a bad installer.
  • If the content only exposes an ActiveX control (IE-specific) it won’t work in Safari; cross‑platform NPAPI plugins were the norm then. For more on managing plug‑ins see the Safari plugin troubleshooting guide. Macworld: unblock/enable Safari plug‑ins. (macworld.com)

If fonts look fuzzy or smoothing looks “off” (a few people mentioned this), toggle Windows ClearType and try Safari’s smoothing options where available. On older Safari betas Apple added smoothing controls; on Windows tuning ClearType often fixes perceived blur. See Apple/MacRumors notes on Safari smoothing and Microsoft guidance for ClearType tuning. MacRumors note on font smoothing in Safari betas (macrumors.com)

Important: Apple no longer updates Safari for Windows — the Windows builds ended years ago, so using an old Safari on modern systems is a security and compatibility risk. For developers who need to test Safari rendering from Windows, use a cloud cross‑browser service (BrowserStack/LambdaTest) or real macOS instances rather than relying on ancient installers. Apple support / Safari update status · BrowserStack guide for Safari testing. (support.apple.com)

Notes tied to posts above: ’s speed question is exactly the right one to ask; and are right that market share and developer tooling kept Firefox/IE dominant on Windows; and , if the installer simply fails, try running it as Administrator or in compatibility mode (and scan for AV interference) before assuming the build itself is unusable.

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Member Avatar for stymiee

I just downloaded it today. I'm glad they have done this as now testing for Safari will be much easier to do. And I aslo doubt this will have any affect on Firefox's or IE's marketshare, though. Opera couldn't make a dent so I see no reason to think Safari will either.

Member Avatar for jbennet

I downloaded it! It rocks!

At last 1 apple thing I like! (i will have to remove my apple blog/hate rant lol)

Firefox Killer!

Member Avatar for happygeek

Why do you think it is a Firefox killer? I mean what features in particular make you say that?

Member Avatar for jbennet

Because it has everything firefox has but its faster and looks nicer.

Most of the people who use firfox on windows dont because its opensource, they do it because they are fed up with IE.

Therefore methinks that Safari will poach a lot of FF users. Could lead to another browser wars, maybe...

Member Avatar for stymiee

Firefox's following is from developers who evangelicalize it. Safari definitely isn't going to steal FF's developer following and so I don't think will make a dent in FF's userbase. It's probably best to compare it to Opera.

Member Avatar for jbennet

Its way better than opera IMHO

Is IE8 coming out ever?

Member Avatar for stymiee

Supposedly a year and half after IE7 was released. It will be interesting to see if they offer any real improvements or if it will just be a glorified bug fix like IE7.

Member Avatar for jbennet

Maybe theyll make IE7 SP1 (they did that with IE5 and 6)

Maybe it will conicide with XP SP3? Thats meant to be mid 2008

Member Avatar for jado

Meh, Bloody thing wont work! Have a look

Member Avatar for happygeek

Works fine here. If you don't count the unexplained freezing, the fuzzy font anti-aliasing, the security vulnerabilities (half a dozen have already been exposed), the distinctly non-Windows UI (which will alienate far too many Windows users) and the memory usage...

Member Avatar for jbennet

I just turned off the antialiasing and used windows built in one

also why does java and flash not work in it! and i cant find plugins!

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