[ralphygarfield]

Several months ago I bought a new desktop. I have to say, I am disappointed with 64-bit Windows. I hate how you cannot do a boot-time virus scan and that thumbnail generation in explorer is so messed up.

I'm thinking in the near future I may buy a new laptop to use as a secondary PC. Now I understand that 32-bit systems cost less money. So the question is, should I buy a 32 bit laptop, or a 64 bit laptop?

I am not a gamer at all, especially when it comes to a laptop, or more specifically, a secondary machine. I mainly just use it for simple tasks like Internet and a tiny bit of file editing, videos, etc. My current 32-bit laptop works 100% fine for what I use it for.

So should I buy a 32 bit or 64 bit Machine?

What are the real advantages to 64-bit?

[Rich-M]

First of all I am not aware you can't do a boot time virus scan, and actually I woiuld use that as a plus since so many of thse Antivirus programs cannot be stopped from doing that. There is no reason to do that if you have an updated current Antivirus program as whatever is in system was there at shutdown.
Basically 64 bit is the way of the future. It allows you to use sundtantially more memory than 4 gb and while there aren't that many programs that can utilize 64 bit yet, there will be as it will be much faster. Drivers for 64 bit really are no issue any more and of course if there are none then 32 bit will work.

[Sami27]

The main Advantage of 64-bit is that it hands more RAM flawlessly
But since this would be no use to you,I suggest a 32-bit system unless you are a gamer,edit HD video frequently,or High-res Images with advanced programs like Adobe Photoshop.

[Compiler]

64bit desktop systems don't actually run faster. But usually a bit slower. With Vista, it ate memory.

With Windows7, just stick with 32bit. You ONLY need 64bit OS when you have 4+ GB of RAM. Even if you have just 4GB (many notebooks have a 4GB limit), might as well stick with 32bit.

Even today, 32bit vista/win7 is more compatible with older hardware and software than the 64bit edition.

Other than server and workstation class systems, only 3-4 games actually make use 2+ GB of RAM. WinXP(32 bit) has a 2GB per application limitation. So I can't play SuCom's largest maps. I don't recall if Win7 also has the 2GB per app limit in 32bit.

For a good laptop withOUT the glossy screens. Check out the Thinkpads at lenovo.com. The SL series are slick, but not as tough as the R/T series which do cost more. ThinkPads don't come pre-loaded with junkware.

[Rich-M]

Originally Posted by Compiler

64bit desktop systems don't actually run faster. But usually a bit slower. With Vista, it ate memory.

With Windows7, just stick with 32bit. You ONLY need 64bit OS when you have 4+ GB of RAM. Even if you have just 4GB (many notebooks have a 4GB limit), might as well stick with 32bit.

Even today, 32bit vista/win7 is more compatible with older hardware and software than the 64bit edition.

Other than server and workstation class systems, only 3-4 games actually make use 2+ GB of RAM. WinXP(32 bit) has a 2GB per application limitation. So I can't play SuCom's largest maps. I don't recall if Win7 also has the 2GB per app limit in 32bit.

For a good laptop withOUT the glossy screens. Check out the Thinkpads at lenovo.com. The SL series are slick, but not as tough as the R/T series which do cost more. ThinkPads don't come pre-loaded with junkware.

I would have agreed with you until I took an Intel Q9300 Quad cpu, 4 gb Ddr 1066 ram that was a dog on 32 Vista Ultimate and then I clean installed 64 bit and the difference was breath taking and highly noticeable. It changed my whole attitude.

[Compiler]

Key word "vista".

I'll take a 1GB Win7-32 over any version of vista with 4~8+ GB of ram.

Really, I use Win7 on 2GB and the other 3 PCs in my home are using Win7 with only 1GB. They all boot and shut down faster than XP.

Its so cool on my main Desktop (Q6600 2gb) that boots about 30sec that the second the desktop is flashed on the screen (after the log in), I can clik and start running apps.

Even with 2GB, I currently have about 850mb free. Running Opera, XnView, MSWord2000, WinTV7 (Tunner) and compressing video in the background among a few other small apps.

[ralphygarfield]

Originally Posted by Rich-M

I would have agreed with you until I took an Intel Q9300 Quad cpu, 4 gb Ddr 1066 ram that was a dog on 32 Vista Ultimate and then I clean installed 64 bit and the difference was breath taking and highly noticeable. It changed my whole attitude.

Wait... I thought 32 bit and 64 bit was related to HARDWARE.

You're saying you can install a 64 bit windows or 32 bit windows on any machine? Theoretically I could do a fresh install of 32 bit windows on my current 64 bit windows desktop, or do a fresh install of 64 bit windows on my 32 bit laptop?

I thought every system was either one or the other...

[Rich-M]

Originally Posted by ralphygarfield

Wait... I thought 32 bit and 64 bit was related to HARDWARE.

You're saying you can install a 64 bit windows or 32 bit windows on any machine? Theoretically I could do a fresh install of 32 bit windows on my current 64 bit windows desktop, or do a fresh install of 64 bit windows on my 32 bit laptop?

I thought every system was either one or the other...

Most hardware today is 64 bit and has been for a while and therefore can run either 32 or 64 bit. Hardware that is 32 bit cannot run 64 bit though.

[Rich-M]

Originally Posted by Compiler

Key word "vista".

I'll take a 1GB Win7-32 over any version of vista with 4~8+ GB of ram.

Really, I use Win7 on 2GB and the other 3 PCs in my home are using Win7 with only 1GB. They all boot and shut down faster than XP.

Its so cool on my main Desktop (Q6600 2gb) that boots about 30sec that the second the desktop is flashed on the screen (after the log in), I can clik and start running apps.

Even with 2GB, I currently have about 850mb free. Running Opera, XnView, MSWord2000, WinTV7 (Tunner) and compressing video in the background among a few other small apps.

No question Windows 7 will run better on any hardware but on high end pc's, there is little difference. Where 7 excels is on older hardware where Vista would not even run right.