Lenovo and Vista x64

I have been debating for a while which OS to get with my T61 I am ordering(see specs below). I am now thinking that Vista x64 might be good for me. I plan on running Linux most of the time, but plan on using Windows to play games and surf certain websites that are difficult to use with Linux, such as listening to streaming WMA format audio from Amazon.com for example. I have a few questions..

1.) Does Lenovo test all their hardware with Vista x64 to make sure there are drivers for everything? With the hardware specs given below, will all my hardware have proper drivers and will it work with Vista x64? Any incompatabilities?

2.) I plan on adding aftermarket ram to max out at 4GBs and an aftermarket Hitachi travelstar 7200rpm 200GB hardrive. Will these have drivers and run perfectly with x64 Vista?

3.) I don't actually buy a lot of software and with my expected limited use of Windows I only have a few items that I usually run. I plan on running Doom3, NWN, Warcraft III, Max payne, Starcraft, XMEN II Rise of Apocalypse for games. I also want to install Norton Antivirus 2008. Will any of these have trouble running with x64 vista?

4.) I have read the possible issues with drivers and 16 bit programs that won't run with x64, but can anyone give me any advise as to any other possible pitfalls? How well does it handle games?

5.) What popular programs, ones that almost everybody uses in Windows(ex: adobe acrobat), have trouble running in x64?

Any help would be great. I figure getting the full 4 GB of ram usage would be cool and I still get the XP 32 bit downgrade discs if I want to fall back. I am assuming that XP will still be around for at least a couple more years.

T9300(2.5 Ghz with 6MB cache)
1 GB Ram
80 GB 5400 Harddrive
Nvidia Quadro NVS 140M
WXGA screen res
Bluetooth
9 cell battery
Touchpoint, trackpad and Finger print reader
DVDRW drive
3 year depot warranty
PC card and Express card
Intel 4965 AGN Wifi
Wireless USB(not sure yet)
Mobile broadband(not sure yet)

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Yes they do. You should have no problems getting Vista x64 running on your T61.

Yes, that's precisely what I did on my T61.

You shouldn't have any problems with the software you mentioned since they're all 32-bit with the exception of Norton (see below). If you have any 16-bit software (DOS or Windows based), then these will not work in Vista x64 at all. I should mention that SOME programs have installers that are 16-bit and as a result, you will not be able to install those programs. However, I doubt you'll face this issue as it is limited to only few software and ones that are old now.

Regarding Norton, You will need to make sure you get a 64-bit version of Norton Antivirus 2008 as it runs alongside the OS and not the Windows-on-Windows 64-bit subsystem as normal 32-bit software would.

As I mentioned, 16-bit software will not work on a Vista x64 at all. If you do have 16-bit software and really would like to run it on Vista x64, you'll have to emulate a 32-bit OS on your computer. You can do this by getting Virtual PC 2007 (free from Microsoft) or some other emulator and install a 32-bit OS such as Windows XP or Windows 98 or even Windows Vista if you wanted.

None that I can really think of...

Adobe has yet to develop a 64-bit version of Flash Player but this is not a problem as Vista x64 comes with both a 32-bit and 64-bit version of Internet Explorer. Firefox is a 32-bit browser as well.

 

Thanks guys, you were a huge help. I think i will go with Vista Business 64. I am reading about a lot of noticeable speed increases. Not to mention that I will get XP downgrade discs with a Vista Business purchase from lenovo. Looks like most things I have will run fine on x64. My main concern was if Lenovo did not test their hardware on x64 and various pieces of the laptop hardware would not work. This laptop is not going to be used for mission critical business work, but for Home use. I would love to get a full 4GB of ram up and running. I have a feeling that 64 bit is closer than everyone thinks, but maybe not in Vista form.

Do you know if I will have problems with new wireless routers? How about public hotspots?

That sucks about Norton. That is the only thing I am going to have to read up on.

I will post back with my experience with x64 when I have everything up and running. Thanks.

 

If you plan to watch movies or shows that uses non propietary codecs you'll have to download the codecs for it. K-Lite codec pack is a good choice for that. For some reason MS deemed it not necessary to include the codecs not even for basic dvd movie playback on Home Basic and Vista Business but its there on other Vista versions.

not sure if that policy is changed with SP1 tho.

 

I like your choice.

There is very little worry about 16 bit programs, they haven't been around in eons.

 

At starbucks, my school, and home internet connection works flawless for me. A less intensive AV though instead of NAV would be Avast 64-bit, it's free and works like it should without taking out alot of resources.

Also, like Renee said don't worry about 16-bit, unless if you are trying to play SimTower

 

That is interesting. I never heard that particular point. As long as there is a way around it.

 

I've had no problem with Vista Business 64-bit on my new T61. Your plan sounds great--I also added an additional 2GB on my own to get a total of 4GB.

1.) Yes, Lenovo does officially support Vista Business x64 and provides all the device drivers that you'll need. It's as easy as any other operating system. Doing a fresh-install is really the way to go. Just get all your updated drivers/apps from the Lenovo support site for the T61.

2.) They'll run perfectly fine--and perform really well, too!

3.) Just be sure to get a Vista 64-bit AntiVirus program. I use AVG Free and it works great. I can't say anything about games, since I don't play any.

4.) It's quite unlikely that you'll encounter any 16-bit code... that's really, really old. I haven't run into any pit falls yet.

5.) Well, the only big issue is that there's no 64-bit Cisco VPN client. It's not a big deal, since this is my personal laptop, and Cisco has released a new AnyConnect client which is their next-gen VPN client. Besides that, I have had to just be careful about installation programs for some software like Adobe Suite CS2, Visual Studio 2005. They've all worked out fine, but some were a little tricky. There are plenty of forums and help resources online.

Overall, it's great to run Vista 64-bit on a T61--I highly recommend it.

 

If you use Acrobat Professional, you need 8.1 to get 64-bit support.

I bought my T61p with Business x64 and have not regretted it yet. In fact, it was one of my requirements that brought me to the T61p in the first place last summer. I wanted my laptop company to be on the hook for Vista x64 support, so I could hold them responsible for driver compatibility.

Eset NOD32 is a very good anti-virus with x64 support.

 

^^ Thoroughly second that.

 

Thanks guys for all your help. This was exactly what I was looking for, new points of view and things I was not thinking about.

With all other issues aside and focusing just on gaming. There is a thread that shows how to make the Quadro card behave like the Geforce card using a new driver. This is supposed to give me better performance in games. Since Vista 64 requires Digitally signed drivers, isn't this going to be a problem? Or are there digitally signed Geforce drivers for this Quadro card? I was also thinking about the numerous LaptopGo drivers as well. Won't Vista 64 be a problem in this instance where you have to tinker with drivers to game?

 

You can get around the digitally signed requirement by hitting F8 on bootup and choosing the appopriate boot option.

 

I was able to install the the latest 64-bit drivers from laptopvideo2go without any problems.

Going back to the issue of 16-bit software in Vista x64, if you have a copy of Windows 95/98/ME (all DOS-based operating systems) or any other Windows operating system sitting around, then what you can do is install Virtual PC 2007 (free download from Microsoft) and then install that OS on it and you'll be able to run whatever 16-bit DOS or Windows software you have without any problems.

Earlier today I installed Windows 98SE on my T61 in Virtual PC 2007 and loaded up two old DOS games I used to enjoy playing when I was younger and they played flawlessly.

Windows 98SE takes up 500MB of hard drive space so it is very small by todays standards.

But as others have said, 16-bit is pretty much ancient history and the only reason it may be an issue for you in Vista x64 is if you're nostalgic like I am sometimes.

 

Thanks again guys. I am defenetly going with Vista 64. At the very least it should be a learning experience. I just hope I don't hit the wierd BSOD problem a lot of people are getting with the 2 x 2GB of ram, that would suck.

 

On a somewhat unrelated note, I have heard nothing but good things about NOD32. I really am thinking about trying it out.