64 bit processors.

[Guest]

I'm looking to buy a new laptop preinstalled with Vista. Most new machines
I see in stores have Intel or AMD 64 bit processors, however, the OS and of
course all apps are only 32 bit. These laptops also only have 1-2 GB RAM.
Is there really any point in buying a 64 bit machine if all it's running is
32 bit OS and apps? Why would manufacturers even build these units with 64
bit processors?

 

[GTS]

For most users it's better to stay with 32 bit Vista at this time. Hardware
drivers and some kinds of software are much less available for the 64 bit
version. There's no downside to the 64 bit CPU. It allows possible future
upgrading. Most current CPU designs are 64 bit. Once these get into
production, there's not a lot of sense in manufacturers continuing to make
and enhance a separate 32 bit version.

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

64 Bit processors is really just a state of the industry right now, the
technology is there so why not make it available? Regardless the majority of
applications for the desktop remain largely 32 bit, it is prepapring for
inevitable when there will be a mass transition to 64 bit, whether by the
Industry or end users. For instance, suppose you start doing a lot of
technical work that goes beyond the limits of 32 bit computing requiring
more than 4 GBs of RAM and real 64 bit OS such as the 64 bit version of
Vista, then you won't have to worry about changing out all your hardware to
take advantage of it.

The market that understands the capabilities, advantages and disadvantages
of using it, the biggest
advantage of all has to be the support for a larger memory address space
that allows you to do more number crunching with scientific, financial and
other engineering applications that use a lot of memory. Hopefully in the
future, more mainstream applications will support the platform and harness
its capabilities, but with the majority of systems coming with 1 to 2 GBs of
memory, and 64 bit really addressing larger amounts up to 128 GBs, you won't
see a lot of apps for now.

 

[ray]

I'm looking to buy a new laptop preinstalled with Vista. Most new machines
I see in stores have Intel or AMD 64 bit processors, however, the OS and of
course all apps are only 32 bit. These laptops also only have 1-2 GB RAM.
Is there really any point in buying a 64 bit machine if all it's running is
32 bit OS and apps? Why would manufacturers even build these units with 64
bit processors?

1) there is a 64bit vista.
2) other OSs have been 64 bit capable for a number of years. I started
with 64 bits around 2000 on a DEC Alpha (yes, I know it's a different
architecture) and 64 bit Linux has been available for several years.

Manufacturers don't always build for the lowest common denominator.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm looking to buy a new laptop preinstalled with Vista. Most new machines
I see in stores have Intel or AMD 64 bit processors, however, the OS and of
course all apps are only 32 bit.

Generally correct.

These laptops also only have 1-2 GB RAM.

1GB is iffy, depending on what apps you run. But 2GB is sufficient for
almost everyone who doesn't run particularly memory-hungry
applications.

Is there really any point in buying a 64 bit machine if all

That's what the marketplace is like now. There isn't a whole lot of
choice.

it's running is
32 bit OS and apps?

You won't see any advantage from the 64-bit processor now, but over
the next few years there will be more and more 64-bit apps available.
Having the 64-bit processor now puts you in the position of being able
to upgrade to 64-bit Windows and apps when doing so makes sense.

Why would manufacturers even build these units with 64
bit processors?

Because that's what the chip manufacturers are selling them.

 

[ato_zee]

64 Bit processors is really just a state of the industry right now, the
technology is there so why not make it available?

So why on Vista 64bit Ultimate, with 4GB Crucial
533 RAM, 1066FSB, 3.06GHz processor, Asus mobo,
are my large Excel macros running like a dog as 32bit?
Typical of MS rubbish?
Not to mention many apps won't install, Azerus based
USB wireless adapters seemingly no drivers, etc.

 

[Tim Slattery]

So why on Vista 64bit Ultimate, with 4GB Crucial
533 RAM, 1066FSB, 3.06GHz processor, Asus mobo,
are my large Excel macros running like a dog as 32bit?

AFAIK, Excel and the rest of Office exist only as 32-bit programs.
64-bit Vista will run 32-bit programs.

Not to mention many apps won't install, Azerus based
USB wireless adapters seemingly no drivers, etc.

True. There's lots of 64-bit hardware around, but software doesn't
seem to have caught up yet.