Opera is what I use on my main system (very fast) and Firefox on the old notebook. Speed dial n Opera is a great feature. Like them both and recommend FF to clients that are having trouble with IE. IE 8 for the most part sucks.

Another vote for Chrome, both Mac and PC. You could grow old waiting for Firefox to launch.

I use Avant...very fast.

Avant Browser - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Is this an exaggeration? If not, then I think you have a problem with my computer. I use FF and it opens within a few seconds of clicking on it. Not saying use FF, use whatever you want, but I have never had a problem with it opening. Same with every other browser.

Avant is just an alternate interface for IE. It is still fundamentally IE at it's core.

The latest FF for OS X opens very slowly. Not "get old" slow but noticeably slower than before. I have become a Chrome fan even though the OS X version is still in beta.

I use the Firefox Preloader Add-on. FF opens instantly.

I use FF because of all the add-ons. There is a free app for most special features you can dream up. For example, if you like to capture streaming video, there is an app for that. If you want to monitor multiple gmail accounts with pop-up notification, there is an app for that.

I am starting to sound like a cell phone commercial.

Don't focus so much on app loading time. It's more about page load, general responsiveness, features, compatibility.

An app can be made appear to load quickly but may not be immediately available to the user because it needs to finish loading resources in the background.

Or it can load everything it needs before allowing the user to interact with it making it appear to be slower.

OS's have done stuff like this over the years. Easiest way to make a snappy feeling OS is to assign mouse/keyboard functions as higher priority processes.

I've been using Chrome at work and Firefox at home (Windows 7 & Mac)

Why would I try a replacement of IE with something that has IE at it's core.?? Probably the security issues are at its core so maybe you're as exposed as IE...

firefox for me too.

I'm not suggesting that you try it, I was responding to the guy who did.