Latitude E6400 Owner's Lounge

no, there are 64 bit editions of at least ultimate, home premium (i think), and biz. the only advantage to using a 32 bit operating system is if you are using some core level driver that is not signed or is not available for 64 (note: you CAN get around signing, but no method is particularly elegant/simple/clean). I can SAFELY say that if you have to ask, the answer for you will be no.

 

Not so on my M440's Intel GigaBit LAN & Intel 5300 WLAN when Vista SP1 x64 is installed.
Nor on the missus' E6400 using the same cards above on hers, again, with x64 Vista SP1.
Unless you're talking about the "have disk" method, which I haven't tried, as I just install the Dell drivers from a USB flash drive.

 

No.
Retail version of Vista Ultimate (the one you buy at a store), comes with 2 disks in the box. Vista 32-bit and the other Vista 64-bit. The other editions do have the 64-bit disk but you need to call up Microsoft for them to ship them for you (you only pay for shipping cost).

OEM versions, only include 1 version, 32 or 64-bit. The version is written on the Dell disk you have. If it does not say, then it's probably the 32-bit version.

Here is all the versions of Vista that exists in this planet:
- Vista Starter Edition 32-bit (sold in developing country, virtually free from our perspective)
- Vista Home Basic 32-bit
- Vista Home Basic 64-bit
- Vista Home Premium 32-bit
- Vista Home Premium 64-bit
- Vista Business Edition 32-bit
- Vista Business Edition 64-bit
- Vista Enterprise Edition 32-bit (like Business edition but sold in large packs for companies)
- Vista Enterprise Edition 64-bit
- Vista Ultimate Edition 32-bit
- Vista Ultimate Edition 64-bit

The layout is the same for Windows 7. However, From my understand, and if Microsoft doesn't change anything: Win7 64-bit will be sold at retail with the 64-bit disk, and if the person wants the 32-bit they will need to order the disk from Microsoft after the purchase (reverse of Vista retail layout). Business edition will be named Professional and will feature all Home Premium features, including divX and Xvid 32 and 64-bit codecs (new to Win7) and 32 and 64-bit DVD playback codec (which was only in Home Premium and Ultimate editions under Vista... which is why Dell offers PowerDVD DX with your laptop with all Vista editions (will probably be the case again with Win7 as Home Basic and Starter edition won't have DVD playback codec or in the case that they get it for free to distribute)

Yes. Call and really insist that you want Vista 64-bit.

Yea!
If my sources are correct based on my following on Project Longhorn of Microsoft (Vista in 2003), Vista was originally develop in 64-bit. Then at the last minute (about a year before the release date) was adapted with the 32-bit version, which was on the buggy side. In fact almost all early bugs reported only affected Vista 32-bit and not 64-bit. But media site LOVED to not mention which version... which well.... you get the point.

Second, Vista 64-bit is all made in 64-bit, which means increase speed, especially that the OS is big. It's not a huge speed boost, but it's there. You can use 64-bit codecs (must use 64-bit media player software to be able to use it (such as Windows Media Player 11 64-bit, which is provided in Vista), which can save battery life. I can't say numbers because it depends on the codec, video, video compression and video length. Also, well you get to run 64-bit applications. The Big thing about 64-bit OS now, is the ability to use 4GB of more of RAM up to 16 Exabytes.

 

seriously? . if i am wrong about that, i think i must be losing it. i could have sworn that vista picked up enough to use the internet... -- that is the same card (both cards) that i have. i am certain, at the least, that win7 picks them up by default.

 

he asked if there were any advantages to 32 OVER 64, not the reverse

 

very good informative reply, thanks a bunch. helps me to further understand the differences between the vista OS's particularly w/ media files and creating videos.

 

lol it's ok, the rest of the post was quite informative so i'll let him slip! haha

 

You're dead right about Win 7, it does pick 'em up.
I have x64 version 7048 sitting here, I'm thinking of installing it on another drive, or is there another version out already?

 

dakicka, to clarify, they will NOT let you have ultimate 64 if you paid for biz -- but they will allow you to have biz 64. if they give you grief, let us know, i can direct you to the exact dell global policies document, and a dell rep to speak with.

7057, and its a bit better

on a totally random note, at least as of 7057, if anyone cares to do it, you can make a simple registry modification and add a few folders in a system drive and change the default logon background without third party software (like windowblinds, logon studio, etc.) see the link :: http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/0...ly-support-logon-ui-background-customization/

 

Ah ok, that is easy:
- 32-bit OS offers maximum compatibility with devices as it's the most widely used, today, systems.
- 32-bit can execute 16-bit applications (64-bit can't anymore (drooped support for 16-bit processes, and reduce production cost)). This is why some old old applications, or badly designed ones don't work under Vista 64-bit (or XP 64-bit). But if you have the latest version of your software OR don't use any specialty software that was designed for 16-bit processors rather than 32-bit, than there is nothing to worry about.

NOTE: It's the CPU that does not support 16-bit application when in 64-bit mode, NOT Windows.

That's about it.