Can I upgrade this way? Vista 32 to 64

I have a Studio 1735 laptop with 4GB ram with Vista 32 bit. Would I see a difference upgrading to Vista 64 bit?

If I bought a new Dell desktop to replace my desktop dinosaur and it came with an OS Vista 64 installation CD could I just use the CD to put a clean install of the 64bit version on my laptop? Are the CD's tied to the computer they are purchased with? Is this really worth the time to upgrade on the laptop?

I want to upgrade the desktop anyway. the bonus OS CD would help me make the plunge.

 

Depends on whether or not the _Vista license you received when you bought your laptop permitted you to use the related product key with both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions of _Vista. If your license covers both versions, then you should be able to install a _Dell OEM version of 64-bit _Vista from another _Dell system on your laptop, and use your existing license key to activate/validate that installation. However, it is possible that the disk that would come with your hypothetical new desktop may be BIOS-locked to the desktop, which would prevent you from using that disk to do an installation onto another system, such as your laptop.

 

It is difficult to say whether you see an improvement in performance - I believe users have reported a slight increase - however, unless Dell supports the drivers, I doubt its worth the hassle.

But its your decision.

 

Unless you will be running native 64-bit programs, you won't see a huge increase; most likely, just a small one.

And, as Shyster stated, it all depends on the type of disk Dell gives you. I believe that their disks are BIOS locked and can't be used on any computer other that the one you purchased, but I may be wrong on that.

 

So if I am running Vista 32 bit with no issues then I should just enjoy no issues and forget about the upgrade to 64 bit to utilize all 4 gb of my memory. I hate taking the easy way out. Ugh! LOL!

I just bought a Dell 518 dual 2.4gb, 500gb HD, 3gb ram,dvd burner, etc and a 22" widescreen monitor for $415 shipped from Dell outlet to replace my current desktop. It comes with "Vista home Basic OS CD" so I won't be getting the 64 bit version anyway. I am really getting used to Vista and liking it more and more every day. I was dreading the mandatory Vista upgrade when I got this Studio 1735 but am glad I was forced now. XP on my other two machines here at home. I wish I could upgrade the other two to Vista.

 

For now, I'd take the easy way out and stick with the 32-bit version you've got, since for now you really don't suffer significant performance degradation by not having that full 4GB RAM useable - it is a bit silly to have RAM sitting around not being used, but just think of it has being held in reserve until later when you find that you do have a reason to upgrade to 64-bit (e.g., you get apps that will only work properly in a 64-bit environment).