Microsoft has heavily optimised Edge to ensure that web browsing will be as smooth an experience as possible. It has thrown out much of the legacy code used in Internet Explorer to create a refined, smooth rendering engine known as EdgeHTML.
EdgeHTML also supports the standards used by its rivals though. Yesterday, Microsoft announced some remarkable performance claims for Edge when running benchmarks designed for the rendering engines of other browsers.
In one test, WebKit’s Sunspider, Edge emerged 112% faster than Google Chrome when run on the same hardware. As much of Chrome is based around WebKit, EdgeHTML’s lead is even more impressive.
Microsoft’s team also ran two other benchmarks on both Chrome and Edge: Google’s Octane and Apple’s JetStream. In the former, Edge was 11% faster than Chrome. In the latter, its lead grew to 37%.
It’s evident that EdgeHTML has become the most efficient browser rendering engine around today. The engine is responsible for displaying webpage elements on the page and executing JavaScript code that adds extra functionality to websites.
There’s no doubt that Microsoft Edge has successfully thrown off the bloat of Internet Explorer. It remains to be seen whether enough consumers will give it a try for it to lose the “slow” connotations of its predecessor but Microsoft is adamant that Edge is the best browser to experience the modern Internet with.
It features deep integration with Microsoft’s Cortana digital assistant and unique annotation abilities that let you scribble notes directly onto webpages before sharing them with others. Edge also has a built-in reading mode that restyles articles into a clutter-free, easy-on-the-eyes layout for a more natural reading experience.
Edge will be available on all Windows 10 devices from launch on July 29. Internet Explorer will remain accessible for enterprises as a legacy alternative.
