Vista 64 bit

I apoligize if this has been posted (I'm sure it has, but when I did a search I couldn't find an answer).

I currently have a Toshiba Sat. A200. It's dying quickly, and I need a new laptop for school (I'm a nursing student, and we do a lot of stuff online [ie/ viewing labs etc]). Anyway, I'm looking at the Dell XPS m1530. It seems to be a very nice laptop. What I want to know, is how I can get Vista Ultimate 64-bit. I plan on getting Vista Ultimate Edition SP1 with the laptop direct from Dell (I live in Canada if that makes a difference). Is the Vista Ultimate option with the XPS 64-bit?

Actually, a good second question is, what is the main difference between 32 and 64 bit? I honestly don't really know. I just want 64 bit because someone told me it was better? I want this laptop to last me years (2-3-ish).

Thanks again for any help, and sorry if this has been posted previously.

Mike

P.S. This is my first post, I just joined the forum ^_^

 

I'm going to guess from looking at the Dell downloads screen that the m1530 is not offered with Vista x64. Some have had success getting an x64 DVD mailed out to them after the fact, but surely you would have more success getting x64 on that machine if you requested it up front...even then, they may not budge (or it may take several different reps until you find one that will =] ). As for finding drivers, we can hook you up easily.

Vista x64, in my opinion is a better experience. FWIW, from my anecdotal evidence it seems a bit snappier, and feels more 'solid'. If you want to query the field a with a little more ease, try clicking the x64 linky in my SIG, there are quite a few of us ready to help/advise.

Good luck!

 

you could get a Latitude with 64 bit business...

I got it and I'm really happy with it, its a bit faster then the 32 bit counterpart.

 

Latitude could be an option, if you don't want as much screen size, screen real-estate, or the dedicated GPU.

 

would it be easier to get the cheapest possible OS with the XPS m1530, and then buy a 64 bit OS from Business Depot (or more likely my colleges computer store, because they have like 80% discounts). From my understand of your post (very helpful btw) is that getting it from Dell won't be easy. Unfortunatly my course is very intense, and I have almost no free time, so having to hassel with them won't really be possible).

EDIT: I do what the dedicated GPU, that's why I'd prefer the XPS

 

Yeah, if you can get 80% discounts at school, I'd go that route, personally. Then you have 2 OS's, one of each. Remember though, the OS that comes with your lappy is OEM, so you can't sell it to anyone or anything, but you have it nonetheless

Like I said, when you need to install, come back. In fact, I recommend this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=158277

Good Luck!

I'll have fun with you, as I am about to get a new HD and clean install!
Paz

 

Ok, stupid question. How do i tell if what I'm about to buy is 64-bit? Like where it it say. I do apoligize for all these silly questions. I had a Psychology test from 8am to 11am, and I'm in my Nursing Theory call right now (from noon until 4, and it's only 2:30 now)....in other words my brain is fried.

 

If you're buying from online it should indicate. If it doesn't say, it is most likely x86 (or 32-bit). It would say "x64" or "64-bit" OS or something to that effect. It would definitely indicate on the front of the install disk.

 

ok, so I should look for x64 or 64-bit. Alrighty. Thanks for your help everyone.

 

if you buy an Xps m1530, you can chat with dell tech support to send you your version of vista in 64 bit, its not a "maybe, maybe not" thing, they will mail it to you at no charge

 

Hi, there have been a few of us Canadians who have gotten the 64 bit disc after the fact by asking tech support for it. Try to get it with the laptop but if they can't do that, phone when you receive the laptop. Remember though, try tech support, not customer service. You might have to push a bit but they should end up sending it to you for free. My tech rep tried to sell it to me and I told him that I had already bought the os when I bought the laptop and insisted on the free disc; it arrived 3 days later.

 

Hey Mr. Canada, don't forget one of these:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=306483

(hope it works in Canadia)

 

Now my friend said something about the computer needing to have a 64 bit processor. I'm going to assume that since many of you upgraded to Vista 64 that the XPS m1530 does.

Btw, this is what I'm looking at:

Components
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition SP1
SYSTEM COLOUR Midnight Blue
LCD AND CAMERA High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900) & 2.0 M
MEMORY 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) edit
HARD DRIVE 500GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
WIRELESS CARD Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card
BLUETOOTH Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate), for XPSM1530
BATTERY OPTIONS 9 Cell Battery

Essentials
PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 edit
HARDWARE SERVICES 3 Year Return to Depot Service, Complete Care, Technical Support with Lojack
DELL Dell V305W
ONLINE DATA STORAGE Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year edit

Accessories
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
GRAPHICS CARD 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
SOUND OPTIONS Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.0
PROCESSOR BRANDING MOD,LBL,INTEL,NB,MEROM
Label Windows Vista™ Premium

 

Definitely a sweet setup...you'll love it!

Yes, you'd be hard-pressed to find a new laptop that isn't x64 compatible. It is my understanding that almost all of the new Intel processors would support it.

 

Thats what I figured, but I'm going with the "better safe then sorry." I'm going to be using the laptop for school work (online videos, note taking in class, word), email (outlook), and a lot of multimedia. I'm not really into movies on my laptop, but I have 20 GB of music, and music videos (I use iTunes). My laptop now took about 10 minutes to load a 7 second video clip the other day, I wanted to throw it into our pool...the only reason I didn't is because we sold the pool on Monday lol. I'll also use it for some gaming, SIM City and Spore (I really want to try this lol).

And thanks so much for that code.

 

...you will pee your pants when going from the old to new...I played Counter-Strike on the ghettoest of ghettoblasters growing up. When I got my current lappy and loaded it up, pwning n00bs was 10x's easier...then I got CS:S and I was in heaven. It doesn't take much to please a simple-man.

 

I have to ask, what the heck is the point of this:

AVerTV Hybrid NanoExpress ATSC TV Tuner w/ Media Center Remote Control

Edit: I know it's to get tv signal on the laptop, but how many channels can you seriously get? And do you have to pay for the channels you do pick up?

 

You don't have to pay for it...it should be just like the antennae on your TV.

Couple that action with some MediaCenter software and you can record TV...perhaps you'd get some TV hookups on the outside of your lappy, but you'd have to look into it.

 

In my opinion Vista x64 is a lot more stable than 32-bit on any machine capable of running it as long as you have the drivers. I installed it on my XPS M1530 and it works like a dream, doesnt break a sweat even under extreme load. Im not sure how youd go about getting the disc from Dell but any Windows Vista x64 disc will work as they contain all of the editions so you could just use your OEM product key on the bottom of the laptop (I got my DVD from MSDN).

 

You're definitely entitled to the x64 version of Vista that you pay for with the system, at no charge, so you don't need to buy another copy. Just chat with Dell and ask for the DVD.