i'm waiting at least another year to switch to 64 bits. by that times a whole new bunch of features will have matured; USB 3.0, SSD drives, etc... i don't do stuff really intensive so i don't have the need for speed atm.
The way I see it at this point is like getting ready for what's to come. There's no real need for me to upgrade at the moment.
32 bit XP pro here. Wanted a new computer with Win 7 32 bit. Called Dell, and they would only ship Win 7 with 64 bit (). I argued with the representative for 10 minutes and gave up. I had my old desktop, Win XP Pro with Pentium 4 processor refurbished, adding a Gig of RAM and am good for a few more years I hope. I've got a couple of programs that I absolutely must have that aren't 64 bit compatible, and refuse to spend big bucks to buy new when the old programs do all I need.
It makes sense that Dell isn't encourage 64bit. They should let the user choose but 64bit should definitely be the default.
I noticed when ordering my Dell that there was no option for 32 bit at all for their desktops at least. Your 32 bit programs will likely still run anyway.
just delete the system drive and install 32 bit XP I bet you can find drivers that will work I just downgraded a HP machine to XP from Win 7 no XP drivers on HP web site but if you know where to look and with a little searching or maybe a lot, I bet you can find drivers that will work bet you can find them for 32 bit win 7 too
My old software might have run on 64 bit. I don't know but didn't want to take the chance. Someone mentioned XP mode. Not being that familiar with Win 7, I didn't even know about it. Regardless, I got the old box refurbished, with more RAM, and I'm happy. I think I just didn't like the idea of being told that I'd be paying my money for something I didn't want. Dell, and all of them, ought to give you the option of 32 or 64 bit, not tell you this is how it is, take it or leave it. I chose to leave it. I like XP anyway. It does all I want and more.
Unfortunately asking them to support 32bit is asking them to create 32bit compatible drivers. It's not always as simple as "We just don't care to give you the option" they would legitimately have to spend time writing new software for an OS that everyone is waiting to die out.
Hmm, good point. I hadn't looked at it from that angle. I guess I'll just keep having this old Pentium 4 (slightly outdated, I know) machine rebuilt until it can't be rebuilt any longer.
Older thread, has the ratio 32bit/64bit changed significantly in the meantime? Still using Window 7 Ultimate 32bit.
-Windows 32-bit version limits RAM utilization to less than 3 GB even if RAM size exceeds 3 GB. -Windows 64-bit version does Not have such a limitation. Therefore, I prefer Windows 64-bit.
32 bit was commercially introduced in the 1960s. The 64bit came in the 1970s. For the last two decades they have been 'phasing out' 32 bit. This has to be one of the longest phase-outs in history. There were rumblings about skipping 64 and going 128 ... that never happened. Most laptop manufacturers recommend 64bit for the home user, however business is still heavily reliant on 32 (legacy apps.). Microsoft and Apple will dictate what the user shall have ... a not so un-noticed paradigm shift in new product roll-outs. The hardware guys like it. The software developers find themselves having to adapt (for now). I'd get 64 if buying new.
agree 100%. if you are a gamer you need 64 bits. if you use any modern programs like Photoshop, Wavelab, etc then the switch to 64 bits is a must, imo. I bought a 64 bits i3 machine a couple years ago. money well spent I think.
I would as well, but that's mainly because I can't see myself buying any system without 4GB or more of RAM at this point. I realize there are other issues, but the RAM amount has always been the determining factor for me.
The 64-bit version of the 32-bit extensions to a 16-bit graphical shell for an 8-bit operating system originally coded for a 4-bit microprocessor by a 2-bit company that can't stand 1 bit of competition.
ROTFL almost nearly soaked my monitor reading that while drinking water at same time 64bit OS for me, a lot of games are now supporting it.
