Microsoft: Windows 7 ‘Inspired’ By Mac OS

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Signs Macs were used for Microsoft's 'I'm a PC' ad campaign.

We all know that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Now software giant Microsoft admits it had Apple’s OSX in mind when creating the Windows 7 operating system.

“What we’ve tried to do with Windows 7 – whether it’s traditional format or in a touch format – is create a Mac look and feel in terms of graphics,” Microsoft partner group manager Simon Aldous said in a Wednesday interview.


Talking to the industry news site PCR, Aldous said: “One of the things that people say an awful lot about the Apple Mac is that the OS is fantastic, that it’s very graphical and easy to use.”

Although Windows 7’s graphics borrows heavily from the Mac OS X graphics, the Microsoft executive said it’s new operating system retains the core Vista technology, calling it “far more stable than the current Mac platform.”

Technology columnist Walt Mossberg, while penning a review that Windows 7 is as good as the Mac OS, still comes down in favor of the Mac during his annual shopping guide.

“But in my view, Apple’s built-in software still has the edge. Snow Leopard is fast and reliable. And it comes with a full suite of excellent built-in programs, including email, photo and video software. Microsoft has stripped Windows 7 of such programs,” Mossberg said.

[Via 9to5Mac and PCR]

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