[newbie question] OS for new T61 - Vista Business 64?

Hello -

I'm currently considering the purchase of a T61 laptop. I would like to get the Vista Business OS option in order to have the flexibility to downgrade to Windows XP.

When going through the configuration options on the Lenovo website, there is an option for either Vista Business or Vista Business 64 (both at the same price). Is it recommended to get one instead of the other? If yes, are there any other system configuration options I would need to take into consideration? Also, would the Windows XP Pro downgrade version be the same for either Vista Business option?

Thanks very much for your help.

 

32 bit will work with any driver that is vista compatible. Certain printers and other devices ONLY have 32bit drivers.

64bit ver will allow 4 gb ram to be used but sometimes you cant find drivers for your stuff

32bit ver will allow 3gb ram max and you can usually get drivers for your stuff assuming the company supports vista

best to check all devices in your home/office and see if the manufacturer produces 64 bit versions of the drivers

I would go 64 if 4gb ram is the most important factor and 32 bit if device compatability is most important

 

also I heard (not confirmed) the 64bit license is interchangeable with the 32bit, but the install discs are two different discs

 

Batman - thanks for your quick replies. Sounds like 32 bit might be the way for me to go for now, since I can see that device compatibility may be more important for me.

(If it does turn out that the two licenses are interchangeable, does that mean I'd be able to upgrade from 32 bit to 64 somewhere down the road?)

 

That's what I am hearing. But you will have to call in to activate, internet activation will not work.

the break down is

that retail versions are fully interchangeable.
OEMs are not except for vista ultimate

however the OEM license key your laptop ships activated is different than the sticker on the bottom

So...
if you get 32bit vista, format with 64 bit install disc, use the license on the bottom of the laptop and activate over phone it will all work. This is from a friend of a friend and I have not done it but i have seen the machine and it works fine and is activated

getting your hands on the 64bit disc will also be an issue.

 

Batman - thanks again for the detailed info. I'll keep all this in mind as I make my decision.

Natwin

 

I use vista 64 on my T61P and it works really really well.

 

I have Vista Business x64 as well. I love it. But I will say that I don't plan on interfacing too much with old hardware. All I have tried is my MS optical mouse from 3 years ago and my basic broadband modem. Both worked perfectly, plug and play, no driver installation was needed. I did however have a little problem installing 2 10+ year old games on it since they used a 16 bit installer program that doesn't work with Vista x64. Be aware of this; 16 bit programs will not work on a 64 bit OS. Could be an issue if you use a lot of old software.

But I found a way on the net to get around the installer on these 2 programs and got them working

 

I appreciate the feedback from everyone. Based on the above responses, along with what I have read elsewhere, I am getting the impression that folks seem to be more satisfied with Vista 64 than 32?

Since I am now considering downgrading to XP immediately, and not reverting back to Vista until some point in the future, perhaps by that time, all the devices/hardware I'll be using will be new(er) and compatibility will be less of an issue.

Thanks.

 

you will not run into any issues at all with vista 64 AS LONG AS you do not have any dated/antiquated hardware. You will not have any driver issues with the machine itself as mentioned earlier. I would definitely follow the 64 bit route if I were you. As far as programs go, you can still install 32 bit applications on a 64 bit operating systems. Windows will sort them into two different folders (X64 and X86)

 

I've found Vista Business 64-bit to work great on my T61. I have less problems with it than Windows XP on my HP work laptop.

Before Vista SP1 there were a few issues, but everything seems to be smooth now. Just use SP1 and all the Lenovo 64-bit drivers, and you should be fine.