Does Windows Vista Aero look like Mac OS X Aqua to you?


Recommended Posts

Many people have criticised Windows Vista's Aero style for looking like Mac OS X's Aqua style. My answer to that is are they looking at the right OS here?

IMO, Aero doesn't look anything like Aqua. Aero is more dynamic looking than Aqua (from screenshots I got off Wikipedia), it has a transparency effect (not sure if the effect is in Aqua), and the minimize, maximize, and close buttons are in the right side of the top bar than the left. Plus you know which one is which without having to memorize colours.

Compare for yourself, and then please post your answer to the question. Does Aero look like Aqua?

Windows Vista Aero

Windows_Aero.png

Mac OS X Aqua

Aqua.png

If You can't discuss this topic without attacking other members, don't post. - Frank

Edited by Frank

Yeah that's what I thought. I was reading about Vista on Wikipedia, and under the criticisms section, it said that Vista was criticised for looking like Mac OS X. Have they even seen Vista before?

EDIT: I must also say that that's the most number of replies I've seen in a single minute.

I've never heard anything mentioned about Aero looking like Aqua. Sure, Aero borrowed many elements from Aqua but the two OS's look nothing alike.

Comparing XP to Aqua (visually) is like apples and oranges but comparing Aero to Aqua is like tangerines and oranges.

...or something :p

They do look the same. Notice the shape of the window itself, it is either square or rectangular.

The type on each window is similar, both using sans-serif fonts. Of course, we can't rule out that they are both in color, right? And we can't forget the small little arrow on the screen that follows our hand movements, that's the same.

It's almost like I'm looking at the same operating system.

I can't see the difference, can YOU see the difference?

*In case you didn't notice, I was being sarcastic.*

hahahaha thanks for the laugh. in no way does it look like Mac OS.... oooo it has rounded corners! they must be the same!

Look at it again. The texturing may not be anywhere the same, but the overall design of the window is indeed very similar. This is no surprise though -- just about every other feature in Vista was ripped from Mac OS X as well (there are differences, but you can tell where the general ideas came from). I don't know why you Windows fanboys get so offended by this though, it's not unheard of for two applications to share similar ideas.

It seems like all the Windows fanboys are just so easily offended by these accusations. Deal with it. Programs have been developed for years, and just about every possible idea has been used in some way, shape, or form -- now developers are having to share ideas.

Just take video games for example. Give me a call when you see a game that doesn't share ideas from another one -- I'll be waiting a long time, because there never has been, and never will be.

Edited by Frank
The whole "Vista looks like Aqua" arguement is BS that fanboys throw around. Saying it without even having seen the interfaces side-by-side.

Obviously they've seen it or they wouldn't be throwing around these accusations. This is NOTHING to get offended by -- it is not UNHEARD of for developers to SHARE IDEAS. Get over it and MOVE ON.

Edited by Frank
Do NOT use the term "FanBoy" against a member.
Look at it again. The texturing may not be anywhere the same, but the overall design of the window is indeed very similar. This is no surprise though -- just about every other feature in Vista was ripped from Mac OS X as well (there are differences, but you can tell where the general ideas came from). I don't know why you Windows fanboys get so offended by this though, it's not unheard of for two applications to share similar ideas.

It seems like all the Windows fanboys are just so easily offended by these accusations. Deal with it. Programs have been developed for years, and just about every possible idea has been used in some way, shape, or form -- now developers are having to share ideas.

Just take video games for example. Give me a call when you see a game that doesn't share ideas from another one -- I'll be waiting a long time, because there never has been, and never will be.

Thanks for the laugh again... Windows Fanboy... hahaha If you knew anything about me, which you obviously dont, you'd know that i despise windows. If it wasn't for the fact that all my games are Windows games I'd be using something else.

And you want a game that hasn't copied? Pong (you didnt say new or old game haha) :p

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • I like to reminisce about the good old days, way back in autumn 2025 when building a gaming machine was fun and the drives were about $150 when you caught a deal. Yes duh, back in the day we had it gone. Then baby Skynet came along, hiding in AI datacenters demanding more processing power until it reached singularity. End of a not totally fictional story.
    • My experience in the past with older Windows 11 builds was not great on unsupported machines but I recently used Rufus to put the latest build on a older 5th Gen Core Thinkpad T that we upgraded with a SATA SSD and 8GB of RAM four years ago when hardware was reasonable and it seemed pretty fast and solid. Customer is very happy with the performance and will probably get four more years out of that venerable laptop that he loves so much. Another customer just retired his Dell Studio laptop from 2009 running Windows 10. It got an SSD over 10 years ago and did everything he needed it to for 17 years but he also retired last year and is happy doing everything on his iPad now.
    • Apple's newest AirTag 2 gets first big discount by Taras Buria In late January 2026, Apple introduced its second-generation AirTag trackers, bringing a refresh to the old model that has been on the market for half a decade. Now, you can get these new trackers at an all-time low price, thanks to the first big discount that brought the price down by 17% on Amazon. While the second-generation AirTag looks identical to its predecessor, it packs meaningful upgrades inside. The second-gen ultrawideband chip works 50% farther than the original AirTag, allowing you to detect lost items in a wider range. In addition, the second-generation AirTag features an upgraded Bluetooth chip for extended range and a significantly louder speaker (up to 50%) so that you can hear it better when locating a lost item. Note that the second-gen AirTag only works with iPhones and iPads that run iOS/iPadOS 26 and newer, so you need a compatible device to use the tracker. Like the original AirTag, the AirTag 2 is available in two packs: one and four pieces. Both are now available at a notable discount on Amazon, and you can purchase them using the links below. Apple AirTag 2 tracker - $24 | 17% off on Amazon Apple AirTag 2 tracker (four-pack) - $89 | 10% off on Amazon Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S.- specific and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • I've been on Deezer for over a decade, but glad that Tidal joined them in fighting AI slop. Can't stand such takes as Spotify's: "Spotify's CEO recently pushed back against listeners who call AI music "slop," urging people to stop using the term and instead embrace the creative potential of AI music."
    • “Could” … in the IS the healthcare is run by insurance companies that make indecent profits denying basic treatments to people that are paying money for nothing. Besides, where are all the Trump epigones who were stating that the tariffs were going to paid by foreign companies and not the US citizens? …
  • Recent Achievements

    • Reacting Well
      NovaEdgeX earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • Week One Done
      NovaEdgeX earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Year In
      BA the Curmudgeon earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Conversation Starter
      rosiecharles earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • First Post
      KMilenkoski1202 earned a badge
      First Post
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      538
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      266
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      151
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      98
    5. 5
      macoman
      66
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!