Now listen. I know you clicked on this article to comment on how Chrome is so “user friendly” or how Firefox has “more privacy” or something along those lines. Before you write a 400-word comment defending Sundar Pichai to the grave, take a moment to read through this article.
I get it. I used to use Google Chrome for everything. It was the default browser for virtually every single one of my devices. I grew accustomed to using Chrome so much that I disregarded all other engines. Its unmatched speed, its conjunction with many Google services and its reliability all prove to be excellent in terms of searching. When I got my first Lenovo laptop, I detested how they had Microsoft Edge as the default browser. However, I decided to give it a shot, mainly because I was too lazy to download the Google Chrome browser. When I begrudgingly made my switch to Microsoft Edge, it was as if I had found a whole new world.
Perhaps the biggest selling point for Microsoft Edge is its reward system. When I first logged into the reward system portal, I was shocked to see how many points I had racked up over the years. By surfing the internet, I was also saving points to buy myself new items. I could get gift cards from DoorDash, Delta, Microsoft, Apple and even some fast-food chains for just a fraction of my points. I could also enter giveaways for TVs, gaming consoles and celebrity meet-and-greets for a fraction of that fraction. Not knowing what to do with all these points, I bought myself about $100 worth of Target gift cards.
All because I used Microsoft Edge. Why not do the same if you can also get real prizes from it as well? Microsoft Edge also has more in terms of savings, like built in extensions for coupons when you purchase items online, a copilot feature that is more integrated with Windows than what Google has with Bard and of course privacy.
Perhaps the reason why people do not use Microsoft Edge is because of its disregard in mainstream services. People usually use Google Chrome just because they have been accustomed to using it all their lives. Maybe people disregard Microsoft Edge because of its security flaws back in the day. Maybe it’s because Chrome has more integration with Google services. integration with Google services.
However, Edge can provide all the services that Chrome can offer and more. Edge actually has more security measures than Chrome. In Microsoft Edge, you can choose your level of security: off, balanced and strict. In off, advanced security features are turned off, but security does still remain. In balanced, you have some advanced security, like applying security protections from websites that aren’t visited often or are unknown to you. Most websites will work as expected and advanced security measures are not implemented on websites that you visit often. However, in strict mode, Microsoft will add all advanced security features to all websites that you visit, regardless of how often you visit those sites. Some sites may not even work as expected because of how strict the security measures are. In summation, you could enjoy a lifestyle of browsing free of security measures, or one with the most advanced security measures there are. Microsoft caters to both crowds.
For all the gamers out there, Microsoft Edge is perfect. Since Microsoft owns Xbox, you can directly trade in Microsoft Reward points for Xbox points. You can also buy various cosmetics in games, such as Minecraft, that are on Xbox. Google Chrome does not have that feature. Instead of spending hard earned money on games, you can spend the points that you rack up while browsing Edge for games that you always wanted to play. Now, Google has something similar called Google Play Points. With Google Points, you can purchase only games through the App Store, which restricts you to mobile apps and games. However, with Microsoft Rewards, you can purchase any Microsoft-owned or partnered games for half the time you spend on Google Points. If games aren’t your thing, Microsoft points can also be used to buy new devices, join giveaways and even buy various gift cards. It is simple, and it is relatively easy to obtain anything in the Microsoft shop in each time span, thanks to the Microsoft Rewards system. Vanderbilt students can take advantage of this because of Vandy’s new switch to Microsoft software. Vanderbilt students already have credentials for most of these systems, and they can take advantage of the systems to buy themselves new games, music and even new devices. Buy yourself a DoorDash gift card if the dining halls have been bland for the past week! These features are perfect for winding down and relaxing after a long day of university work.
Ultimately, it is easy to gloss over the pros of Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome. After all, virtually everyone has used Chrome since they own a computer. It has been integrated so much in our lives that we look for no other alternatives. Any alternative we do find, we just shove aside and use Chrome anyway. However, it is time to reach out and embrace better alternatives than Chrome. Switch to Microsoft. Your bank account will thank you.
