Google Chrome is Google’s spanking new browser. It’s clad in the company’s trademark simplified design, giving you a strong sense of déjà vu if you’re a Gmail junkie. And if you’re a Firefox fan, the familiar feel of the toolbar will keep you within your comfort zone.

In fact, Chrome replicates your Amazing Bar experience, so that when you fire up Chrome, you can take your Firefox history with you and pretend that nothing happened and just surf like you always do.

Well, almost. One downside to Chrome is that, thus far, there are no provisions for Add-Ons. And Firefox fans swear by their add-ons, so if you have intimate relations with yours (like I do with DownThemAll!, DownloadHelper, and Gmarks) then you’d probably not want to make Chrome your primary browser.

So what makes the Chrome experience different? Well, it’s mostly under the hood.

Take your Amazing Bar experience with you

For instance, you would notice that Chrome’s tabs are on top, set above the toolbar. This helps send the message that this browser is built for compartmentalization. As its comicbook primer points out, Chrome keeps each process separate, allowing you to keep on working regardless of whatever happens to any one of your browsing tabs.

In short: Chrome won’t bloat out on you. It won’t get slower over time (as your old browser may have a habit of doing), and your PC’s memory won’t mysteriously drain out.

Incidentally, Chrome is all about the tabs. Right-click on a link and, unlike Firefox which first suggests opening the link on a new window, Chrome’s first option is to open it on a new tab. Interesting.

Also, Chrome comes with a spanking new Javascript V8 engine, designed from the ground up, which promises to be blazing fast. It claims to be designed primarily for heavy Javascript apps. Which can only mean that it is part and parcel of Google’s eventual plan for world domination by seamlessly putting all your office apps online.

Oh, and Flash works fine out of the box too (as it should, since we’re talking YouTube integration here).

Pundits say that Chrome is set to give Internet Explorer a run for its money. I’ll hold out on that thought first until I see what IE8 comes up with. Besides, Chrome seems to do well as a second browser for now: it’s like the trusted, reliable friend who you can run to when you have problems… even as you still continue your hot relationship with your current, more exciting flame.

Verdicts

1. A great little browser that you can count on for reliable surfing. It’s lean, it’s clean, it’s efficient. Fire it up and you’re good to go.
2. You probably won’t make it your default browser, especially if you’re attached to your Firefox Add-Ons. But if you’re not into Add-Ons, and you believe that a browser should be a transparent tool, then Chrome is highly recommended.
3. You’ll love installing this on your friends’ computers. Especially if they’re the type to constantly harp about their browsing woes.
4. An excellent product for a Beta. Then again, expect Chrome to be on Beta for the next decade or so.