These screen shots are of a default install of MacOS 8.1 running under Basilisk II. This is the highest version of MacOS that Basilisk II can run.

Mac OS 8.1 Booting up.

The MacOS 8.1 about screen.

One of the more obvious improvements introduced in MacOS 8 is the 3-d window appearance. This is the result of an included program called Appearance Manager. Interestingly there is a version of Appearance Manager that can be added to MacOS 7 to give it the same look.

MacOS 8 also can set a background image rather than just a monochrome pattern. It includes a number of backgrounds to choose from and the user can use their own picture files.

The apple system profiler gives you detailed information about your Macintosh.

In a default install, both IE and Netscape are installed. Installation of the web browsers can be avoided by performing a custom install of MacOS 8 and choosing not to install the internet components.

Opening the "Browse the Internet" icon launches the default web browser. IE is default web browser for this operation and others unless Internet Setup has been used to configure an ISP.

The apple logo in the upper left corner can appear solid black or colored depending on the monitor settings.