Vista 32-bit vs. 64 bit

[Guest]

I am about to by a new laptop. It will be equipped with the new Intel Santa
Rosa, 2GB RAM, the new Nvidia 8400 and so on. But then I run into the
following problem:

It doesn't matter which provider I choose (Sony, HP, Acer, etc.), when it
comes down to the selection of a Vista Version, no matter which one (Basic,
Home Premium, even Ultimate, according to HP), they are all 32-bit, which I
find a little bit silly, since the processor and accessories are 64-bit.

I thought that if I bought a Vista, both versions would be anyway available,
the 32-bit and the 64-bit. But then I found out that, apparently, that's not
the case. I surfed the Vista site, and I am still confused. It seems that
maybe the Ultimate version has a DVD available (64-bit media), but I am not
sure if that means that the Ultimate comes with the two Windows versions, or
just that it comes with a media DVD of 64-bit.

So, my question would be:

If I really want to have my new laptop with a 64-bit Vista, do I have to
wait until the computer manufacturers decide to put a 64-bit Vista on it, or
if I buy one of the 32-bit options (Home Premium or Ultimate) then I would be
able to upgrade the OS without having to re-purchase a new Vista?

 

[Tiberius]

you are entitled to the 64 bit version without paying anything extra..
accept perhaps the media and shipment..

I dont know the details but I think Retail Vista ultimate has both dvds
inside for 32 and 64 bit
while for the non retail you have to order it...

perhaps someone else will confirm this

 

[Tiberius]

ohh.. I have to add something here... just to make sure you know it..

make sure that IF you decide to install the 64 bit version, your warrantee
will not be VOID!

Many laptop vendors are picky.. and may say that you have support ONLY with
the 32 bit version you
got preinstalled!

 

[DevilsPGD]

In message <#[email protected]> "Tiberius"

ohh.. I have to add something here... just to make sure you know it..

make sure that IF you decide to install the 64 bit version, your warrantee
will not be VOID!

Many laptop vendors are picky.. and may say that you have support ONLY with
the 32 bit version you
got preinstalled!

They won't support you with the 64-bit OS installed, but that doesn't
void your warranty, it just adds some extra hassle if you need to
contact technical support.

 

[Guest]

Thank you.

Regarding this (which will be my case, for sure): " while for the non retail
you have to order it..."

What does it mean? that I buy my new, let's say, Sony Vaio computer and then
have to ask MS (or Sony?) for the 64-bit version? In this case, I will have
to pay just delivery or would I be "purchasing" the 64-bit option?

 

[Guest]

make sure that IF you decide to install the 64 bit version, your warrantee

will not be VOID!

Yes, I was warned against it

But I would not be worry if I have to wait until the end of the warranty to
work on the upgrade (as of today, there's not much in 64-bit yet, not at
least anything critical). But after one year (the warranty period) I will be
by my own, and I also expect that more and more 64-bit software will be
coming. Then, I would like to have the option to upgrade... but not at the
cost of buying a new Vista.

 

[Tiberius]

read this page:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_ff_x64.asp

"purhcasers of other retail 32-bit Vista versions can order the 64-bit
version from Microsoft for a nominal fee."

 

[Tiberius]

so the question arises.. does this also include the OEM versions?

since the laptop preinstalled oem version of vista, does that oem liscence
allow you to go 64 bit?


Lets see what other people have to say about this too

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

"you are entitled to the 64 bit version without paying anything extra"
FALSE
The OP is obviously referring to OEM.
If the OEM chooses to sell the computer with only 32 bit, a buyer is
NOT "entitled" to anything else.

You seem to be confusing your facts again.
OEM and retail are different.
Retail Vista either comes with 32 and 64 bit or you can order the 64
bit media for a small fee

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

If the OEM does not include 64 bit, do not assume it is included.
If the OEM chooses not to provide the media, that is their choice and
nothing we can do about it except purchase elsewhere.
Verify with the OEM before purchase that what you need included is
included.

All 4 versions of retail Vista comes with 32 bit DVD while Ultimate
comes with 2 DVDs, 32 bit and 64 bit.

Also see:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/vistaget.htm

 

[Dana Cline - MVP]

For what its worth, HP's tx1119us laptop (the tx1000us series) runs 64 bit
just fine, and HP's web site has 64-bit drivers for download. But you're
still stuck with needing to buy a copy...and in reality, that's probably a
good thing...chances are no matter _which_ laptop you buy, it'll come filled
with junkware. I nuked mine to the stone age, installed Ultimate from
scratch, and am a happy camper with a lean mean screaming machine...

Dana Cline - MCE MVP

 

[Guest]

Thank you, very helpful.

It seems that I am a prisoner of the OEM... I'll do my best to find out from
this guys what comes with the laptop.

I assume that if I order it with a Ultimate, I should be entitled to a
64-bit DVD or whatever attached, otherwise, the would be charging me a lot
for less of what I get from a retailer (and laptops are tricky, because,
unlike desktop computers, you can't just buy the computer without the OS, so
it's clearly unfair that they force you to accept less... but the world is
not about fairness, on the other hand).

But I still don't get why they are not selling a 64-bit Vista with this
equipments... I talked today with the Tech Support of Sony Vaio, and he
confirmed that the FZ series (the latest) is not coming with 64-bit Vista,
and that it won't happen until next year (!!??). I'll try to talk to them
again and find out what happens if I buy the Ultimate Vista, what do I get
from them.

Thank you again.

 

[Tiberius]

if you read my other posts in the thread, that is what I am asking ...

I am not sure thats why I have my posts in the form of open questions

 

[Tiberius]

lean mean screaming machine...

yeah sure it is...... like a fat ugly retarded man-eating hippo with
arthritis

 

[Guest]

Hi Catenaccio,

Just to add confusion to your question let's assume that you buy an Acer
laptop. Please make sure that the operating system you get has a Vista disc (
whatever version ) and not a recovery set of discs. I know that with Windows
XP Acer had 4 recovery discs with XP spread over them for installation
purposes which made it impossible to carry out any repairing of windows.
Also, if you are going to the expense of buying a new laptop bite the bullet
so to speak and purchase from your vendor a retail version of Vista either in
32 or 64 bit and have them install it on your machine. OEM's are fine if you
want to save dollars but in the long run they are a pain in the butt, as
Jupiter mentioned OEM's only come with one disc unlike Ultimate retail comes
with 2 discs.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Bob.

But is that possible? Let's say: if I go to the Sony webpage and buy a FZ190
customized, how can I buy also a retail Vista and have them install it?
Besides,if I do so, Do I then lose the bundle software that is supposed to
come with the equipment (some applications and utilities)?

I would for sure go for the retail version if I were buying a desktop, but
it seems to me that the options are more complicated if you by a laptop.

Or is just a myth that we have been led to believe in?

 

[Guest]

Hi Catenaccio,

Having never purchased a computer over the internet I can't answer that
question, then again I wouldn't be purchasing a computer or anything
important that way.
As an ex computer business owner I preferred sitting down with the customer
and talking about what they wanted as well as answering their questions as to
what they required. Talking to a human gives you the buyer the flexability of
interacting with the seller so that you get exactly what you want and not
some pre determined item. If your able to communicate with with Sony ( as in
talk to a human ) tell them what you would like as well as ask them what
limitations there might be ( I'd like to believe that there are still good
sales people out there and not the usual "Used car salesman" ) It doesn't
matter if you think your questions are silly/stupid ask them as you are going
to part with cold hard cash and you should be able to buy what you want the
way that you want it. From a personal standpoint I am running Vista Business
64 bit and she cranks along quite nicely thank you.

Anyway, I hope that this long winded answer has been some help to you ?

 

[Guest]

It was, Bob, thank you again.

What it was not helpful at all was talking to Sony over the phone. I called
them to know what I could expect to get with my computer (Recovery CDs?
Original OS?), and if there was a difference buying a computer with a version
of Vista or the other. The guy who talked to me on the phone ("Paul") told me
that you get only the pre-installed OS (you may create your own recovery CD).

But then it came the annoying thing: I explained to him that, since the
computer came with a 64-bit processor, I would like to have a 64-bit OS and
if there was something that they could do about it. The guy then tells me
that the computers comes with a 32-bit processor. I tell him: "No, it's a
64bit", and he, again, says: "No sir, it's a 32-bit processor, I am 100% sure
about it". I thought he was looking at the wrong model, so I clarified him
that I was interested in a Vaio FZ190, with a Intel Cetrino Core 2 Duo T
7300, that was a Santa Rosa Intel, and that was a 64-bit (I have been reading
about this god damn Santa Rosa thing for months and now the guy says to me
that it's a 32-bit processor???). But the guy just laughed at me and insisted
that it was a 32-bit processor, that they did not produce Vaios with 64-bit
processors and that they were not planning to do so in this year.

But if you go to google and try Vaio FZ190, the first thing you read is that
Sony has released its first 64-bit laptop... It's all over the web.

I am really disappointed by such a poor sales service. At the end of the
day, you cannot never be sure what the heck you are buying.

It's disappointing, I don't know if I should give up and buy whatever is on
the market now, or just wait a couple of weeks and hope that they will
release a 64-bit laptop with a 64-bit OEM.

 

[Guest]

Have to agree with Dana Cline: First, if you buy the OEM version either
directly or pre-loaded, you deal with whoever you bought it from if you have
any problems or questions. If you buy the retail version in the colorful box
from any licensed retailer or from MS directly, you deal with MS for
questions. Second, the 64-bit version is capable of handling more RAM and
larger file loads, but probably won't reach it's full potential unless you
drastically increase your RAM and processors. Additionally, the 64-bit
version as of yet has no support from Adobe for "flash", which causes you to
change over to the 32-bit version browser anyway if you're surfing and want
to see flash presentations. The clean install of whatever VISTA OS you
prefer (imho) results in a far superior end product than will any preloaded
version. Additionally, some laptops (ACER, for one) will have the HD split
in two, so you need to specify the largest HD you can afford or you will be
short on primary HD space in short order.
BTW, my clean install of 64-bit Home Premium, triple-booted with W2GPro
and Linux SuSE has proven to be a very fine OS. For the past seveal weeks i
have tried to "break" VISTA without success. The hardest task of all was
finding a 64-bit driver for WUSB54g, but that was not VISTA's fault. There
has been no combination of tasks that i have tried that could cause VISTA to
reboot, fracture, fail, or even slow down when asked to do some other
rediculous task on top of the existing ones in process. If VISTA can survive
another couple weeks of testing, i'll put the box into regular service and
start building the next ones.

 

[Guest]

Hi Again Catenaccio,

I am assuming that are in the USA if so I have just had a look at
www.sony.com and both the FZ models are discontinued. I do however agree with
you that the CPU is 64 bit as I just looked it up on my dealers price list.
There is something strange going on with the people you are dealing with.