July 22, 1997: Apple launches Mac OS 8, its next-gen working system for Macintosh computer systems. The OS introduces a brand new three-dimensional look and makes browsing the web simpler than ever.
The primary main working system refresh for Macs since System 7’s launch in 1991, it will get nice evaluations and is destined to change into a giant hit with customers. Nevertheless, it arrives at a really difficult time for Apple.
Mac OS 8 launch
Though everybody associates Steve Jobs’ reign at Apple with OS X, Mac OS 8 was really the primary new working system to launch after his return to the corporate in 1997. Jobs had little or no to do with Mac OS 8, although, since his predecessor, Gil Amelio, had solely stepped down as Apple CEO a few weeks previous to the working system’s launch.
Mac OS 8 constructed on the work that went into Apple’s doomed Undertaking Copland, which the corporate introduced in March 1994. Cupertino positioned Copland as a complete rewrite of Mac OS to accompany the introduction of the primary PowerPC Macs.
Undertaking Copland provides to Mac OS 8
Nevertheless, the software program’s builders frequently missed deadlines. Finally, Apple folded Undertaking Copland into “System 8,” which grew to become often known as Mac OS 8. The brand new working system allowed better ranges of consumer customization for options like system fonts, accent colours and photograph desktop backgrounds.
Apple’s different enhancements included new pop-up context menus, spring-loaded folders, stay scrolling, a built-in internet browser, and a multitasking Finder improve. In the event you’re contemplating investing in an Apple machine, you may be questioning how lengthy do Macs final in comparison with earlier fashions.
Sneaky title, large hit
Picture: ShrineofApple
The newly modernized working system grew to become a giant business success.
Retailing for $99, Mac OS 8 got here at an important time for the money-losing Apple. Gross sales exceeded expectations by an element of 4, with 1.2 million copies offered within the first two weeks of availability. This made Mac OS 8 probably the most profitable Apple software program product on the time.
Curiously, probably the most fascinating side of Mac OS 8 had little or no to do with the software program itself.
As Keith Bosse, a monetary analyst with Robert Cohen & Firm, mentioned on the time: “Mac OS 8 isn’t the actual story…. This isn’t a expertise downside. The product itself isn’t the difficulty. [Apple has] a gross sales and advertising and marketing downside. It’s a model mismanagement downside. The model is being so underutilized at this stage.”
Mac OS 8 title counters the clone Macs
One of many large issues Apple confronted on the time was the presence of clone Macs after many individuals pushed for making Mac OS run on different computer systems within the early Nineteen Nineties. Microsoft efficiently employed such a technique with Home windows. Nevertheless, it labored much less nicely for Apple.
Apple CFO Fred Anderson labored out that the clone Mac technique really value Cupertino cash. The $50 price Apple bought for each clone Mac offered didn’t come near recouping the cash misplaced from individuals selecting to purchase third-party computer systems as an alternative of the pricier ones made by Cupertino.
A part of the explanation for calling Apple’s working system improve “Mac OS 8” as an alternative of “System 7.7” was that the settlement with Mac clone-makers solely prolonged to cowl System 7 updates. By naming the replace “Mac OS 8,” Apple might negotiate new phrases with third events licensing the Apple working system.
Do you bear in mind the Mac OS 8 launch? Depart your feedback and recollections under.
