Walt Mossberg just recently posted a glowing review of Windows 7. He’s notorious for loving everything Mac and bashing everything Microsoft. Some say he is biased, some say he is right. Regardless, his positive review of Microsoft’s new operating system is something out of the ordinary. He pointed out quite a few areas in which Windows shines and even some where it is downright superior to Mac OS. He even went on to say:

“I, like many other reviewers, have argued that Apple’s Mac OS X operating system is much better than Windows. That’s no longer true. I still give the Mac OS a slight edge because it has a much easier and cheaper upgrade path; more built-in software programs; and far less vulnerability to viruses and other malicious software, which are overwhelmingly built to run on Windows.”

What does this mean? We’ve known it for a while, but Windows is finally in shape to be considered a match for OS X. It is no longer considered a mistake. People who stayed with XP will actually be upgrading to Windows 7. This new OS might even boost PC sales.

Now look at the Apple camp. 12% of all households own a Mac. Mac sales have only been increasing and they don’t look like they will stop. Apple’s computers are slowing changing from “hip” computers for “creative people” to mainstream machines; and as a result more and more people are buying them.

This is great. Times couldn’t be better for consumers. As the battle intensifies, we can all look forward to cheaper, faster, more powerful products. As the gap narrows, we can hopefully expect not a world where there is one dominant giant and another smaller, niche player. We can expect a world with two equal players and many robust products to choose from.