Chrome 7 has just launched, representing what is sure to be seen as the best entry in the series of Google web browsers. Most users will ask whether or not it is worth migrating from their current browser of choice over to Chrome, so here is a rundown of the major tweaks and features that could make a convert of you.

Google Chrome initially hit the market as a superfast way to get online and surf your favourite sties, but it was understandably light on features in order to make speedy operation a reality. It has been gradually evolving to integrate more and more features that will eventually allow it to pave the way for the operating system of the same name and, in terms of functionality, Google has managed to produce something that is easily in the same league as Firefox and Internet Explorer.

If you have been a long time Chrome user, then the seventh edition will perhaps be a little lacking in completely new features. Various updates have been applied to make sure that HTML5 content runs smoother, which is definitely a bonus and although the changes to the look and feel of the browser are minor, it is still as nippy as ever. Of course newcomers will be impressed with the way in which Chrome 7 handles websites and gives you easy access to your favourites. Customisable skins, which have now become a feature of its rivals, are also a nice touch that gives users the option to personalise their experience and express their individual styles as they browse. Bear in mind that the actual placement of many features are fixed, so in some ways the scope for modifying Chrome is a little more limited than Firefox et al.

Chrome's layout is simple and unfussy, doing away with most of the toolbars of its competitors and opting for a simple tabbed interface, that will really appeal to people who detest clutter. There are all the customisable tools and options available if you need them, but, in general, it is a breeze to use with just the basic set of interactive areas. The tabbed system of browsing is another of Chrome's strong points, because Google has refused to implement the traditional distinction between tabs and windows, allowing for free movement of tabs in a drag and drop style with which most users will be instantly familiar. This is implemented at a deeper level than superficial visual styling, because Chrome divides each tab into a separate process. This means that if a site crashes then you can close the individual faulty tab, rather than having to lose all of your other open tabs in the process. Anyone who spends a lot of time online will come to love this feature.

While the first version of Chrome, which was launched back in 2008, was impressive because of the speed at which it could load and render web pages, what it has gained with maturity is greater stability along with this intrinsic speed. Version 7 is still one of the fastest browsers in the world according to independent benchmarks and Google itself claims that it has upped the speed so that it is now 10 times faster than the first Chrome release.