One of the reasons why I use Firefox, is Tabbed Windows.
I was looking at programs that may exist to give Tabbed Windows to IE, and I came across via the Microsoft Web site (Yes, really), this. Plus its free!
Advanced BrowserI am trying it at present, and so far it is looking good.
Ahh, the joys of Tabbed Windows...

It also has a setting to prevent flash animations from being downloaded, so that should help the speed of web pages being downloaded, and displayed.