Even though Google's beta version of its Chrome browser is hot out of the oven, benchmark tests show that it can't keep up with Apple's Safari.  However, it was twice as fast as Mozilla's Firefox, according to Computerworld.  

The results of the tests showed Chrome is the second fastest of four Mac browsers tested.  Chrome wound up rendering JavaScript ten times faster than Opera 10.10 and almost twice as fast as Firefox's 3.6 Beta 4 version.  But ultimately Chrome was unable to match Apple's browser product, which was about 12 percent faster than Google's beta.

But for those using Windows, it's a different story.  Google's browser easily beat out all rivals including Safari.

Google opted to make no direct comments about its JavaScript speed for its Mac beta as it regularly has with its Windows counterpart.  They instead focused on how quickly the product launches.  "As you might expect, the speed of Google Chrome for Mac is something we're very proud of," said Brian Rakowski, Chrome product manager.  "Try installing the beta, and see how fast it launches -- there's hardly even time for the icon in the dock to bounce!"

The Chrome Mac beta is available for download from Google's Web site.  It requires at least Mac OS X 10.5 or later, and is only able to run on Intel-based Macs.