Vista 32-bit or 64-bit?

I am planning to buy a M860TU in August, and I want to know which is a better option. The system I will be getting will have pretty powerful components including a 4GB DDR3 RAM. Could you tell me about your experience with either the 32 or 64 bit Vista. Thank you all.

 

64 bit has been great to me. It is a very solid system and I would recommend it to take advantage of all of your RAM. I have used both versions of Vista and I feel like the 64 bit is more crisp.

 

Did you ever encounter any serious problems with software and drivers compatibility?

 

I'm still thinking, but my issue is the lack of 64 bit applications, you will end up running 32 bits application on your 64 bit OS based computer.

 

Right, but most of those programs probably wouldn't perform much better if there was a 64-bit version. Some software that would take advantage of 64-bit computing already have 64-bit versions. The biggest advantage of 64-bit, as constantly stated here, is the ability to address 4 GB+ of RAM.

 

There are plenty of 64-bit applications ( www.start64.com).

Also, even if the user has no need for 64-bit apps now, given MS's activation scheme and general dislike of reinstalling OS's, going 64-bit now is one less reinstall to do later when a 64-bit app the user WANTS to run suddenly appears.

 

is there a disadvantage to having a 64 bit OS over a 32 bit OS?

 

There are some uncommon scenarios that don't handle 64-bit Windows, like Cisco VPN users, since Cisco has no intention of making a 64-bit compatible VPN client. These users are stuck with legacy operating systems.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=275652

 

Go for 64 bit:
-fully utilizes the 4 gigs or ram, 32 bit does not use all 4 gigs
-you can run 32 apps on Vista 64 bit system
-more future programs will be 64 bit
-some games take advantage of 64 bit (Crysis)

There might be some programs that don't support 64 bit (iTunes used to not support Vista 64), but this isn't really a problem anymore.

 

I am going to move from XP back to Vista as Vista is much better on my desktops compared to a year ago. 32 Bit or 64 Bit was the big question, but after discovering that my HP printer and my fan control program will not work with 64 bit, I think I am leaning towards 32 Bit. If everything was compatiable, I would jump to 64 bit. I had an IBM AS/400 midrange business server that was 64 bit already over 10 years ago. Big difference between 32 bit and 64 bit computing when the software was properly coded for true 64 bit environment, but it did not happen overnight. I believe we will see 64 Bit become standard in another year, just as we saw 16 bit programs slowly jump to 32 bit about 15 years ago. Some of our business applications are running in XP in a 16 bit environment yet today.

 

It seems like 32-bit Vista is your answer.

 

FWIW, I have been really impressed with Vista x64, and really annoyed with Vista x86.

 

I only used 64, but I am happy so far...

 

i have a question: for those that purchase a computer with 32-bit vista OS loaded, is it possible to buy the 64-bit disc from microsoft for $ 10 using the product key of the 32-bit OS loaded on the machine ?

when i bought the upgrade to home premium a while back, i saw the offer included with the paperwork in the box, this is the link to it....

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia

it will allow me to buy the media with my purchased copy of 32-bit, but i'm not sure if i will be able to use the product key of the OS that comes with my laptop to buy the 64 bit media for $ 10....

have not gotten the laptop yet, so i don't know the product key yet to try it out

 

Yes, the key doesn't care what bit version you pick.

 

thanks. reason i asked is because i think maybe subsidized software that's installed by manufacturers may not be eligible ? but since it doesn't matter what 32-bit version you own or how u came to own it, so long as it's got a product key...

 

Probably not. OEM keys usually are not accepted when attempting to purchase the $10 DVD's from Microsoft. My Dell OEM Vista Ultimate key wasn't. You'll need a retail key to get the disk from MS.

Now if you can get the media from somewhere else, your OEM key will probably activate it.

 

FYI, iTunes DOES support 64bit; https://swdlp.apple.com/cgi-bin/Web...oadApp.woa/2023/wo/tYhGLJBX1fHo9bUZdiRo70/2.5

Theres actually a different link for the download. I've been running 64bit Vista for about 5 months now and I absolutely love it. Thats all I'm gonna say.

 

so atbnet says yes, you say no......not sure.

you said you tried your dell-provided key and it would not let you order the media ?

 

Correct. It said that the key provided was an OEM key, and that ordering media from the Marketplace required a retail key. Of course, I'm just a sample of one.

Reading atbnet's post though, I think he might have been talking about activating the software, as opposed to ordering the DVD. Not positive though.

 

total bummer as i already run my purchased copy of vista 32-bit on another machine....
now i have to go buy retail 64-bit if i want it....suks.

 

Well, did you by chance get 32-bit ultimate on a Dell? Allegedly, you're entitled to 64-bit media from Dell if you request it. I say allegedly because it seems rare that anyone reports success in getting it, as the 1st level techs are generally clueless. But if it's a Dell you purchased then it's worth a shot. Apparently only Ultimate qualifies though, so if you bought Home Premium then you're out of luck there.

Examine all of your options before shelling out for a retail copy. Remember, all you need is the media. Your 32-bit license key will legally activate it.

BTW, Newegg sells OEM versions if you do end up purchasing. Home Premium 64-bit is only $109, and Ultimate is $179.

 

I had a Dell 1720 for a week and installed 64-bit on it with the key on the bottom of the laptop - no problems. I actually ordered a DVD from the Windows store w/o a key - I guess I got lucky. I kept clicking links and it finally got to the checkout w/o me having to enter a key.

Unfotunately, I hated the 1720 and sent it back. Now I am on 32-bit on the FZ. I am thinking about going to 64-bit, but Sony offers little 64-bit driver support. Yous guys think Vista can handle most of it?

 

i didn't see it worth it to spend the extra 160 for ultimate pre-loaded.

i see alot of ebay sellers allow make an offer for the full version 64-bit OS brand new retail....let me see if they'll be happy with the bone i'm about to throw them....

 

@bubba:
yeah, Sony doesn't make too many proprietary parts that I know of, you should be able to get the drivers you need unless you've got something crazy you need a driver for.

 

i didn't know ebay had gotten that advanced yet, but apparently i found some auctions for Vista 64-bit full retail, brand new, where the sellers set the "make an offer" feature to automatic, so that if you put in a number above what they want for it, you will get the instant win email response.....

so i found a full retail copy of 64-bit for $ 112, put in my offer @ $ 92, and won it.
makes me wish i had gone lower just to see if i could have gotten it cheaper...but for 200+ off the sticker, it's still a steal.

 

Was it actual retail, or an OEM like they sell at Newegg? $92 for a full retail version would be a steal.

 

no it was an OEM....sorry for the misprint. is there much of a difference ? should be the same software IMO unless i am missing something.

also this is home premium 64-bit. i don't need ultimate

 

It just means that once you select a computer to install that copy to, it won't be able to be moved. But for the difference in price you could buy 2 or 3 OEM copies for one retail copy.

 

actually, i have a retail upgrade of premium...and i've installed it 3 times on one of my machines after some hardware changes, and once on another machine recently. except for the first time install, every other time was a bit of a hassle because i called MS or had to do that automated system where i'd input the sequence and it would give me back another sequence to enter in the fields A thru G....

anyway...

 

Abtnet is correct. It's the exact same software and will be fine for you. Only the licensing terms are different. It's forever tied to the original syatem that it's installed on, just like when you buy a new PC with Windows installed.

 

lower game performance if that game doesn't support 64 bit?
lower comparfed to 32 bit?

 

I would like to point something: don't bother with DDR3, those things aren't really THAT better than DDR2... yet.

 

What ISN'T compatible with 64bit Vista? I know cisco VPN isn't, but what about other programs?

 

FoxIt PDF Creator...they've known about that problem for like 18 months and refuse to fix it.

 

Some GNU apps aren't compatible with windows at all

 

Has anyone heard of Blackboard? Its a program that some colleges use. It defines itself as an online courseware system. Does it run in Vista64?

 

blackboard is Online, so it should work...
But, if you're talking about Blackboard Backpack, then yes it does work, I've used it.

 

Well, I think Blackboard's java based. I would imagine it's not affected?