x64 Compatibility?

OK, so I'm shopping for laptops. I've found quite a nice Acer model, but my problem is that it comes with Vista 64 bit. While it's nice that it will support all four gigs of ram, I'm worried about software compatibilty. I'll be playing a bunch of older games, like Civilization 4 and Morrowind, and I'm worried about how well supported they'll be. This laptop is at the top of my budget, and I really can't afford to purchase a 32 bit copy of Vista. So, my friends, is 64 bit safe for older software?

Thanks

 

Anything that runs under Vista X64 will run in Vista X86 for the most part. If you do encounter problems, your Vista X64 license also will cover X86, so if needed, you will be able to install 32 bit Vista without having to purchase a new copy of Vista. The real game incompatibility issues are with Vista period, and at that point, you have to use XP. Civ 4 and Morrowind are probably new enough that they will run in Vista.

 

I've actually used Vista on my Dad's laptop, and for the most part, it works pretty well. How would I go about acquiring a 32 bit if I purchased a computer with 64 bit?

 

Any OEM X86 disc will work. If a friend has one, you can borrow it. Your dad's discs (if he has them) will likely do you fine. Alternatively, you can purchase discs from Microsoft (only like 20 bucks). And then there's always other ways...

 

So I would just pop in his 32 bit disc, and use my 64 bit code?

 

Yes.
This assumes it is an OEM Vista disc.

 

Um... What does OEM mean?

The disc came with his laptop (an XPS M1530)

 

That disc should work fine. There were some reports of Dell Vista discs only containing one version of Vista, not all like a standard OEM disc, though I have not personally confirmed this, and have been able to install multiple editions of Vista from a Dell disc. I think the confusion comes from the fact that Dell's BIOS has a Windows license built in to it, and the disc automatically picks that up and installs that edition... but I digress.
OEM means it came with a computer rather than being purchased at a store in a retail box, basically.

 

Alright, thanks a lot.

 

I think you're right that Dell Vista discs contain all editions just like other Vista discs, but... I've heard that Dell Vista discs are set up to only work on Dell computers (with Dell BIOS)... so I'm not sure if you'll actually be able to use it to install anything on an Acer. Then again I haven't tried.

thebeesknees, if you buy this computer, do give 64-bit a try before going to 32-bit... chances are 64-bit will work fine with all your programs, and 64-bit Vista runs a little smoother IMO, even if you're not using 4 gb of RAM.

 

I've used a Dell Vista Disc to install into a virtual machine hosted on a non-dell computer... so it will work. The issue is the whole question of how many versions are there... and I'm pretty sure that if you're installing on a non-dell or a dell without a Vista license in the BIOS, it just asks what version you're installing or determines the version from the key like it does on any other disc.

Seconded.