If you are looking for the fastest browser on the block, then despite what Mr. Jobs might tell you, Safari 3 might not be your best option. Not only did the browser get cracked faster than a casino safe in Ocean’s Eleven, but it also preforms slower than both IE7 and Firefox, especially in AJAX intensive operations.

What Is AJAX?

AJAX is the brand new technology that removes the need to refresh the browser every time that you complete an action. Anytime that you fill out a registration form and it tells you if a name has been taken before you press submit, or you see the neat spinning load indicator right before something fades into view you have been made privy to the wonders that is AJAX.

Needless to say, lagging behind when it comes to this means that Safari does not fare well in a whole suit of Web 2.0 applications.

The Test

Speed Chart

The test, conducted by the good people at Wired consisted of three parts.

  • Time to download the login page for Google Mail
  • Time from login until the Google Mail index page appeared, with 50 messages, and all graphics and message status indicators
  • Time to launch Google Calendar and display two subscribed calendars

Safari was outperformed by IE7 and Firefox in each of these instances, except for the Calendar test. Even there, it just creeped by IE7 and was still beaten by Firefox.

Web 2.0 Roundup

What conclusions can we draw from this? Well, lets give Safari the benefit of the doubt. Despite its disappointing speed tests, it is still just a BETA. Hopefully, by the time that it goes Live, Safari will be yet another valid alternative in the Windows Browser market.