Review: Internet Explorer 9 - in pictures

10/10

So, will you like IE9?

In terms of overall look and feel, Internet Explorer 9 feels like a positive upgrade. Microsoft is clearly looking to be more directly recognised for sorting out the functionality of its browser's engine room than it is for bringing along any new fancy whistles and bells to the party. If we accept the much hackneyed term so favoured by web developers when they tell us that their new site "delivers a truly immersive experience", then Microsoft has taken that thought to heart and tried to make "the site the star" and not the browser. The company says that this is a fundamentally different philosophy to that which governs the development of browsers like Chrome or Firefox -- and in some ways it's right. So is IE9 a case of less is more? Yes, in this case maybe. Are we seeing behind the scenes augmentations that will translate subconsciously to a better browsing experience? Well, yes, to a degree we are. Are we really seeing what Microsoft envisions for us i.e. a more beautiful web? Oh come on now, honestly!

After almost exactly two years, Microsoft is finally ready to move to the next version of its web browser with Internet Explorer 9 progressing from public beta to its full-blown release candidate. Promising streamlined design, fewer dialogue boxes to click through and more intuitive navigation, IE9 is distinguished by the fact that it is not tied to any major iteration of the Windows operating system. In terms of system requirements IE9 demands Windows Vista 32-bit with Service Pack 2 (SP2) or higher - or Windows 7. It also requires 512 MB of memory and 70 MB of hard drive space for a successful 32-bit installation.

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