Safari is Apple's hit Internet browser allowing for quick and easy access to the web with a load of extra features thrown in too.

Setting up Safari is very easy, if you have a Mac it will come pre-installed so you'll be able to browse the web instantly. If you have a Windows based computer however you'll have to download it from apple's website. The install is very quick, without the need for a restart, so you'll be ready to go as soon as possible.

When you first launch Safari you'll be treated to a quick welcome sequence that only happens the first time and then you go straight into the browser. Safari itself is very clean cut (especially on a Mac), a very efficient and minimalistic design much like Apple's other products, makes navigating the Internet so much easier.

The browser itself offers many features common to other modern browsers such as bookmarks, tabs and private browsing, but you also get some bonus features thrown in without the need for add-ons such as pop-up and ad blockers as well as integration with other Apple software such as iPhoto and Mail.

As well as these features if you have a Mac you are also treated to 64-bit running (which can be switched back to 32-bit) and a very intuitive crash resistance. Usually if something crashes in the browser the whole thing will shutdown, however with crash resistance it finds and isolates the crashed plug-in and terminates it before it crashes the whole browser, meaning you can continue to work and then just refresh that page if there's a problem.

Safari also performs the best out of the major new web browsers. Surfing the web has never been quicker and the extra features make it a worthwhile switch. Inclusion of the design for cover flow makes browsing through your history so much easier and appealing, and the little things like an integrated search bar just add to the ease of use.

The best thing for me about Safari 4 is the panoramic top sites page, activated by a small icon on the left hand side of the browser. This presents a panoramic display of your most visited sites, or the sites you want to choose and customise. You can also change and edit the appearance by having 24, 12 or 6 top sites.

The only issue I have with Safari is that after upgrading to Snow Leopard some of the plug-ins such as Divx web browser aren't compatible in 64-bit mode meaning you have to switch back to 32-bit mode and lose features such as crash resistance.

Overall though Safari is an amazing web browser and my personal favourite, speedy, efficient and full of new features, browsing the web has never been so enjoyable. Highly recommended.