Windows 7 Inspired by Mac, Says Microsoft Manager

A senior Microsoft figure in the UK has said Windows 7 tries to mimic the look and feel of a Mac. Microsoft headquarters responded by calling him "inaccurate and uninformed."

Simon Aldous, Microsoft's partner group manager, recently gave an interview to PCR, a computer industry magazine. As you'd imagine given the timing, the interview covered the development of Windows 7, which he agreed was like "Vista on steroids". However, he went on to say:

"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. 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." (Source: pcworld.com)

He then explained that though Windows used this look, it based it around Vista's core technology, which he described as more stable than the Mac operating system.

Firm Dubs Manager 'Uninformed'

That quickly attracted attention, with Microsoft issuing a statement to PCR saying "Simon was incorrect in describing Windows 7 in this way and subsequent headlines claiming that the Mac OS inspired Windows 7 are totally inaccurate."

The firm's Brandon LeBlanc then followed up with a blog post in which he noted that Aldous "was not involved in any aspect of designing Windows 7. I hate to say this about one of our own, but his comments were inaccurate and uninformed." (Source: windowsteamblog.com)

Microsoft's explanation, which certainly ties in with comments it has made during the development of Windows 7, is that it based the visual style of the system on extensive user feedback and testing. It notes that some user interface features which are part of Windows 7, notably the multi-touch support, do not feature in the Mac system.

Did Aldous Have A Point?

Naturally, the interview has prompted great debate. Many commentators have pointed out that it's a stretch to say Windows 7 doesn't have any resemblance whatsoever to the Mac. However, it clearly wasn't a wise move for Aldous to note the similarities in such an explicit manner: it makes Microsoft appear unoriginal (and probably unfairly so) and gives a public relations advantage to Apple.

There is, however, an explanation by which both Aldous and Microsoft are technically correct: it's very possible that Microsoft did not actively set out to clone the Mac look and style, but that its user feedback was in favor of many of the elements which comprise that look.