Get an Edge Up

In a previous blog, Chrome: A Self Fulfilling Prophesy, I explored the issue of how Chrome has become bloated and recommended Microsoft Edge as an alternative browser.  In this article we’ll look more closely into the ways Edge provides a superior browsing experience and its new features.

PERFORMANCE

In both JetStream and Speedometer tests Edge eked past Chrome. The current version of Edge as of the date of this post (version 91) includes Startup boost which launches Edge more quickly using a set of core processes that run in the background.

SYSTEM USAGE

While Chrome has made some progress on systems impact, Chrome still typically uses 30 to 40 percent more RAM than Edge.  This is due to the independent processing (and therefore exponential tracking) that occurs with each new tab you open in an existing Chrome session.  In Edge, any open tab that is not in use “goes to sleep” which decreases memory and CPU usage by as much as 30% over Chrome.  You can also identify how long you want Edge to wait before sleep mode starts, as well as set specific websites to never go to sleep.  Chrome has introduced “freezing tabs” in response to Edge’s “sleeping tabs” but the difference here is that a tab in Chrome will only freeze once it detects heavy RAM usage.  Designed for battery optimization, Edge uses 36 to 53 percent less power than Chrome, Firefox and Opera.

EXTENSIONS

Edge’s architecture has been based on Chrome’s open-source rendering engine, Chromium, as of January 2020.  This has allowed Edge to significantly rival Chrome’s extension options.  Any extension offered by Chrome that is not available from Microsoft can easily be added to Edge by toggling on “Allow extensions from other stores” in the settings.  You can also import your extensions directly from Chrome to Edge.  One of the features of Edge that I love is the ability to install a web page as an app and run it independently from the browser.

SECURITY AND PRIVACY

Based on differing business models, Chrome’s objective is targeted advertising.  Yes, you can wade through the confusing privacy protection settings in Chrome to minimize what information is tracked, but the enhanced protection features still require you to send your data to Google.  Edge provides a straight-forward approach to their privacy and security settings with three levels: Basic, Balanced, or Strict, with a bulleted list in each of what will be blocked and the potential ramifications at each level.  You can also set specific websites to have a different default tracking mode.

FEATURES

Let us look at some of the features in Edge that has it quickly becoming the browser of choice for increased productivity over Chrome.

Alt+Tab – Built into the Windows OS users have always been able to switch between windows using Alt+Tab.  Now you can switch between open tabs in Edge as part of this convenience as all open tabs will show as independent windows in the list of open windows.

Vertical tabs – You can turn on the vertical tabs option which allows you to see the webpage name when you have multiple tabs open.  You can hide the vertical tabs panel if desired as well.

Immersive Reader – The immersive reader feature strips out all advertising on the page to allow you to concentrate on the text alone.  Change font and background color to your preference. You can also opt to have Edge read the contents of the web page to you out loud using the Read Aloud feature for those of you who like to multitask.

Tab Collections – Both Chrome and Edge allow you to group tabs, however Edge’s tab collections will allow you to save and export a collection where Chrome does not.

Taskbar Pinning – With Edge you can pin websites you use frequently to your taskbar just like any installed program.  You can also save multiple open tabs as a group in favorites.

Light and Dark Modes – Edge has a built-in dark mode that Chrome does not have.

Smart Shopping – Edge will automatically scan for and apply coupons and discount codes while you shop online where Chrome requires an extension for this.

Quiet notifications – Notifications from your websites show up as a bell icon in your browser’s address bar rather than as a pop-up.  In today’s world when web meetings are more common than in-person ones, this feature is awesome.

Edge has an edge on mobile devices as well with features such as floating video which allows you to shrink a video window to access other websites or tabs, and news guard which lets you know if the site you are visiting is known to be factual or not.

Edge features added in January of this year include the ability to check your Outlook email from the quick links on the home page, bookmark and tab synching across platforms, and its own password manager and generator.

I will admit that I still use Chrome for certain things, like accessing my Gmail account and my Google drive, simply out of habit.  But when I need to be productive, Edge is my go-to now.  It is so nice to have all my Office apps, extensions, collections, etc. available to me on the go.  If you have been reluctant to make the switch from Chrome to Edge, give it a try.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised by Edge’s performance and features, especially when signed in.