The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Windows Vista 32bit or 64bit?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by luiskim, Mar 11, 2007.

  1. luiskim

    luiskim Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    hi. i just bought an asus a8js today and i'm trying to order the free upgrade to windows vista thru asus...
    the problem is that it is giving me a choice of windows vista 32 bit or 64bit... and i have no clue what the difference is.
    what can you recomend me? help please?
    thanks :)
     
    luiskim, Mar 11, 2007
    #1
  2. JM

    JM Mr. Misanthrope NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    4,370
    Messages:
    2,182
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Go with 32-bit.

    64-bit is still pretty new and not recommended for most users right now.
     
    JM, Mar 11, 2007
    #2
  3. plattnnum

    plattnnum Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    107
    Messages:
    592
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    when would be a good time to upgrade roughly speaking?
     
    plattnnum, Mar 11, 2007
    #3
  4. SideSwipe

    SideSwipe Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    756
    Messages:
    2,578
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    dont upgrade, there is no point unless you need to use specific applications that can use the 64bit features
     
    SideSwipe, Mar 11, 2007
    #4
  5. JM

    JM Mr. Misanthrope NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    4,370
    Messages:
    2,182
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    56
    In about 5 years, I'd say.
     
    JM, Mar 11, 2007
    #5
  6. Sucka

    Sucka Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    216
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'm not sure how the Asus upgrade works, but for retail versions you can buy the 32-Bit version and for $10 (shipping) Microsoft sends you a 64-Bit disc that works with your existing key. This gives you the ability to use either/or and try them both out.

    As far as which one to use, probably 32-Bit is best for now. Without 4+GB of memory, x64 can't really take advantage of anything from within Windows alone. Add to that the shotty driver support, and lack of applications for 64-bit at it becomes even less attractive.

    With that being said, i'm using the x64 because, well i can. There are drivers for everything in my sig, all my 32-bit apps work in Windows, and i like to tinker with new stuff. Anyone telling you x64 is "faster" than 32-bit is probably experiencing a placebo effect.

    The way i look at 64-Bit is, we are seeing it's birth now. By the time the next OS rolls around i think 64-Bit computing will be main stream, and all the bugs and drivers will have been worked out through Vista's days. My guess is within 2 years apps will be taking advantage of the coding and we will start to see a real reason to go for 64-bit. For now, like Vista in general, you're just going through the growing pains of something new. If work arounds, beta drivers, program incompatibility isn't your thing, stick with XP or Vista 32-bit.
     
    Sucka, Mar 11, 2007
    #6
  7. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    146
    Messages:
    1,943
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I recommend getting the x32 for now. Lots of softwares aren't compatible with the x64 as yet.
     
    kanehi, Mar 12, 2007
    #7