Why are new laptops having 64 bit W7 installed?

[Saucy]

32-bit is just fine. Don't worry about these guys. If you were tracking
weather systems or running the database for Wal*Mart, you might actually
*need* 64-bits. Even Microsoft's Office suite is only available in 32-bits.

But if your computer come with 64-bit Windows, so what? It will run most all
32-bit programs. Besides, if you get the Professional version of Windows 7
(recommended), and if your computer's CPU supports virtualization, you can
download and install XP Mode -- just in case of the rare instance that a
32-bit program won't run right away off a 64-bit Windows installation.

Saucy

 

[xfile]

I, for one, never encouraged or urged amyone on the net to use anything
unless one sees the benefits.

You asked a question and some of us pointed you to where you could read some
information from which you could make your own decision.

Gald you have and there is no need to provide any reason for your own
decision

 

[Paul H]

My issue is that I cannot buy a laptop with W7 installed that is not 64 bit.
So I have to purchase a W7 upgrade CD to change to 32 bit? Or try to get
one without W7 pre-installed?

 

[Tim Slattery]

My issue is that I cannot buy a laptop with W7 installed that is not 64 bit.
So I have to purchase a W7 upgrade CD to change to 32 bit? Or try to get
one without W7 pre-installed?

You'd have to do a fresh install, you cannot change bitness by
upgrading. IM(NS)HO, it would be *far* more trouble than it's worth.
The 64-bit system will run your 32-bit apps, the needed drivers are
already there (you'd have to find 32-bit drivers for everything if you
switched), it can take more RAM if you want more. And there are no
drawbacks. Spare yourself the grief.

 

[Charlie Tame]

The biggest problem you are likely to have is with older hardware and
drivers for it, although I suspect Microsoft will try to address this in
W7 better than they did in Vista. I mean drivers are not really their
responsibility but it's a customer service thing to some extent. MS can
be quite "Persuasive" I imagine.

However it will not be long before 64 bit systems are fully supported so
I understand your concerns but think they may be less of an issue than
you think aside from drivers.

 

[Saucy]

So what?

)

It will probably all of your 32-bit apps save for some system utility stuff
(common sense here). 64-bit Windows works very well, and should you want to
run a 64-bit app someday, you already be ready. I would even venture to
recommend popping for the Professional version of Windows, as it is better
equipped than Home.

Saucy

 

[xfile]

In addition, you could also ask if the vendor can pre-install for your or
provide an install media (not recovery disc) or purchase one with an upgrade
option (from Vista or XP to Windows 7).

The following link is for illustration purpose, and refer to the Eligible
Operating Systems section:

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/...ding/en/us/windows-7-consumer?c=us&l=en&s=gen

Good luck.

 

[Michael Dobony]

There are still *very* few programs that have 64-bit versions.




Here's my standard reply:

The advantage of running a 64-bit version of Windows basically exists
only if you also run 64-bit applications under it. Bear in mind that
there are very few such applications available yet. If you are
presently running 32-bit Windows, you don't have any 64-bit
applications, so to achieve any advantage, you not only have to
replace Windows, but also your applications, *if* (and that's a big
"if") 64-bit versions exist.

64 bit W7 supposedly runs faster than the 32 bit *if* your processor is 64
bit. If your processor is only 32 bit you can't install the 64 bit W7.

Also note that you will need 64-bit drivers for all your hardware.
Those drivers may not all be available, especially if some of your
hardware is a few years old. So it's possible that you might also have
to replace things like your printer, scanner, etc.

I have had no problems loading 64 bit and 32 bit (when 64 bit is not
available) Vista drivers under W7 and neither has my son. In fact my son
had hw function better under W7 than Vista on a system sold with Vista
installed!

So the answer to your question is that it may not be a great idea
right now. That will undoubtedly change in the near future, but for
now, 64-bit Windows mostly means some extra trouble and expense for
little or no benefit.

On the other hand, installing 64-bit Windows instead of 32-bit Windows
makes you able to buy 64-bit software as it becomes available, instead
of the older 32-bit versions. That means that installing 64-bit
Windows--even though it may do very little for you at present--puts
you into a better position for the future.

One additional point: the 64-bit version lets you use more than the
approximately 3.1GB of RAM that the 32-bit version can use. Very few
people need or can make effective use of more than 3.1GB, but if you
are one of those who can, that's something else to consider.

To translate a car/truck saying, there's so such thing as too much RAM.