Running 32 bit application on 64 bit OS

Are there any advantages/disadvantages of using 32 bit application on 64 bit OS like Windows Vista Ultimate?

I am wondering if it's worth to upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit OS since I already have the install DVD.

My current system configuration is T61, 2.1GHZ (Penryn), 15.4 LCD, 4 GB RAM, 160 GB HD 5400 RPM, Intel Graphics.

 

i had the same worries as you. check to make sure lenovo already has all drivers necessary, which sager did. and you might run into problems if you use special software or software with lazy developers. i don't fall into that category but i have run into problems with nTune from nvidia. i haven't pursued any answers/solutions but it's not that big a deal. i'm assuming you don't game because of the intel graphics so that shouldn't be a problem either because most, if not all games don't do as well as xp. and if you do decide to go vista64, i sincerely ask please don't post any threads about Windows Experience Index. it's useless, nobody cares and if you want 5.9's all the way across, get sager 9262 fully decked out and even then don't brag about it. as for my experience with vista64, i was surprised. i've been using it more than xp. it still has quirks, but so does xp. it's microsoft. what can you expect?

 

64bit has several security advantages to it including ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomizer) which randomizes the memory footprint of your OS every time it boots to make it near impossible to be maliciously attacked.

64bit is suppose to run 10-20% faster than 32 bit, but it will also use more memory (not an issue if you have 4GB). In fact it will allow you to use all of that memory.

The only compatibility issue I have come across with x64 is Office 2007 One Note's virtual printer doesn't work (you can't print internet pages to OneNote). Thats about it.

 

disadvantage: some 32 bit applications will not run on the W. Vista, other than that, i'm not aware of any disadvantage generally speaking, in the case of Vista, compared to XP it needs better HW to run smoothly ..

advantage:
- 64bit OS generally (linux, windows, unix etc) handles memory better and of course can claim 2^64 memory, which is the biggest advantage of all ... RAM is so cheap these days, i have already 8GB at my home Desktop ...
- because it handles memory better, it is an advantage to run app on 64 bit OS (even if it is 32 bit app)
- and ... let's face it ...64 bit is the future, 32 bit is dead
- the computing power of the 64 cpu is (teoretically) double compared to 32 bit (so any operations that need lots of accounting are far better on 64) .. the 64b cpu simply 'chew' 64 bits per one cycle so ... if you also have 64 bit app, i makes huge difference
e.g. i do support for the automotive CAD app Catia v5 - we have it in combinations:
32b OS (w. xp) + 32b Catia
64b OS (w. xp x64) + 32b Catia
64b OS (w. xp x64 + 64b Catia)
the latest combination makes enormous difference, even the 64b OS is advantage, since we use workstations with 8GB RAM
- if you want to stay on the edge and you like new things (even if it means some testing frome time to time) go 64 (doesnt matter which OS) - i use on my R61 windows XP 64bit, since the CAD i work with doesnt run on Vista ....

 

Installed Vista Ultimate 64 bit yesterday. Installation was pretty smooth. Ran Lenovo System Update to install drivers and ThinkPad software.

After that installed couple of applications including Office 2007. So far no problems except I can't add my networked Samsung ML1740 printer. I will try looking for the driver later.