Could 13, 1991: Apple releases Mac OS 7, extra generally referred to as System 7. The largest Mac OS shakeup because the working system first shipped with the authentic Mac in 1984, System 7 is whip-fast, stunning to have a look at, and boasts a bevy of progressive options.
The longest-lasting of Apple’s basic Mac working methods, it’ll stay present till System 8 replaces it in 1997.
System 7’s new options
One massive new characteristic was true full-time multitasking, letting a number of functions run on the similar time. This meant that, for the primary time, you might perform background processing. It allowed Mac customers to carry out a processing-heavy job in a single app whereas utilizing one other. That will sound (and is!) regular right this moment, however it was a revolution in 1991.
As well as, customers now had entry to “aliases,” an thought later copied by Microsoft’s Home windows 95 as desktop “shortcuts.” This made it simpler to entry particular person recordsdata with out having to trace down the supply utility.
The brand new Mac OS additionally introduced an enormous enchancment when it comes to file sharing. In the event you had an AppleTalk community, System 7 made it straightforward to maneuver recordsdata and folders between methods with a easy peer-to-peer LAN.
It was even potential to collaborate on initiatives with a “Publish” and “Subscribe” characteristic. This meant that adjustments made to a file on one particular person’s machine routinely transferred to each different linked doc. Suppose Google Docs is spectacular? Mac OS 7 was doing one thing related a quarter-century earlier!
Mac OS 7 brings massive enhancements
Visually, Mac OS 7 proved leaps and bounds higher than its predecessor. TrueType fonts now not suffered from their beforehand jagged look. System 7 additionally made the Mac desktop extra customizable. The OS supported varied colour choices, with a extra streamlined look general. (A brand new “Balloon Assist” characteristic got here to the help of Mac newbies.)
Though it shipped with few packaged applications, System 7 rapidly ushered in a variety of multimedia functions. Later in 1991, QuickTime landed on the Mac, letting customers run and manipulate video on their computer systems.
System 7 got here preinstalled on new Macs. For upgrading customers, a Private Improve Equipment price $99 and got here with 90 days of free technical assist. A gaggle improve for networks ran $349.
The working system continued till 1997, when Steve Jobs arrived again at Apple. The final System 7 replace got here with April 1997’s Mac OS 7.6.1. Apple then changed it with System 8.
Relive the glory with this System 7 emulator
Feeling nostalgic for Mac OS 7? Try this System 7 emulator that runs inside your browser window.
What are your reminiscences of utilizing System 7? Have been you a Mac fan on the time? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
