SZ and Windows 64-bit

Hi,

I'm currently looking into buying a new laptop, and the Sony SZ (probably
340 with the Core 2 Duo) is right at the top of my list. The main problem
I have is that I need to use the 64-bit version of Windows XP for my work.
I have a license for that lying around, but I have no idea about the current
driver support for the notebook internals... Graphics and network will definitely work because nVidia and Intel support drivers, but Sony has no information
whatsoever about the whole thing and does not officially support WinXP64.

Has anybody around here ever tried installing any 64-bit version of any
Windows, e.g. WinXP 64, Windows Server 2003 or Vista Premium? I would
be very interesting in hearing about your experiences.

Thanks,

-- Christian

 

it should work as the Core 2 Duo is 64 bits
you will probably be missing some drivers like: webcam, fingerprint, memory stick

 

I know the Core 2 Duo is a 64-bit processor, the drivers were my main concern.

I will customize the notebook at sonystyle.com anyway, and I didn't plan
to include a webcam anyway... I have an USB one and honestly, I haven't
even plugged in for a long time.

Just as an update, I had a look at the Sony support page with the original
drivers and with some research I was able to find 64-bit versions for most of them (thanks most to Intel that has pretty good driver support). I don't think the Sony-specific drivers have 64-bit versions, only the parts that are standard components from other manufacturers (i.e. graphics, sound, mainboard). The touchpad also doesn't seem to have good drivers... that's what you get for not having a Synaptics touchpad.

Oh well, I think I'll be able to live without TPM and fingerprint drivers for a
while anyway, and I guess with Vista Sony will have to provide 64-bit versions at some point in the future anyway. Could be a little inconvenient without Sony drivers for a lot of small stuff like the hard disk drive protection and energy settings.