Windows 7 - 64-bit computing.

[Mr. Dee]

Somebody may have already suggested this but I think that PC manufacturers are going to opt for the 64-bit version of Windows to be put on their machines.

Windows Vista was suppose to be Windows 64-bit coming out party. But the fact that ISVs and IHVs continue to either not fully support the OS, with device drivers or stable ones in addition to applications that really expose the architectures capabilities make it a niche. I have seen a few 64 bit Vista notebooks over the past year and they have worked well in the users favor. The only brand I see making an effort to promote 64 bit is from HP. Dell, Lenovo and Acer and other brands don't really load 64 bit Vista on their notebooks regardless the processor and drivers are available they leave that up to the user. This would suggest then, that they are taking the safest route. But, if an effort is not being pushed from now, I don't see how it will get better with Windows 7.

Two out of three of my systems are 64 bit and it has been rough especially for my laptop, certain device drivers didn't work write and performance seem to be lack luster.

[FrostyIsland]

To me Windows Vista 64-bit is just not quite there, for me.

It's not just Windows or Microsoft, it's the drivers or the lack of maturity of the platform as a mainstream.

Then again, there are no 64-bit mainstream Applications ATM, but I think with Windows 7 drivers will be more robust and we will see the emergence of 64-bit applications.

I totally agree, with this dude. :D

[Kronir]

I think the windows after 7 will dump 32 bit completely. By then nearly all 32 bit cpus will be obsolete.

I believe Microsoft already confirmed Windows 7 will be both 32- and 64-bit, and it will be the last 32-bit version of Windows. Of course, things can change, but that's the last official word I heard.

Here's Paul Thurrott's Win7 FAQ talking about it:

Q: Will Windows 7 be available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions like Vista?

A: Though I had expected Windows 7 to ship only in 64-bit versions, Microsoft now says it will be the final Windows version to ship in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

[Mr. Dee]

I believe Microsoft already confirmed Windows 7 will be both 32- and 64-bit, and it will be the last 32-bit version of Windows. Of course, things can change, but that's the last official word I heard.

Here's Paul Thurrott's Win7 FAQ talking about it:

Actually, that was just Paul Thurrott assuming things...again. Just like how he assumed that Windows 7 will be NT 7.0. Microsoft never confirmed that Windows 7 client would be a 64 bit release only, only for the Server releases going forward. Here is the official word from Microsoft:

A few folks took Bill?s comments on Windows Server and applied them to Windows Client deriving that Windows Vista would be the last 32-bit operating system. That is an incorrect extension. While Windows Vista includes both 32-bit and 64-bit and there is a growing community of drivers for 64-bit Windows Vista we have not decided when Windows Client will follow Windows Server and become 64-bit only.

You can read the post here

[y_notm]

Actually, that was just Paul Thurrott assuming things...again. Just like how he assumed that Windows 7 will be NT 7.0. Microsoft never confirmed that Windows 7 client would be a 64 bit release only, only for the Server releases going forward. Here is the official word from Microsoft:

A few folks took Bill?s comments on Windows Server and applied them to Windows Client deriving that Windows Vista would be the last 32-bit operating system. That is an incorrect extension. While Windows Vista includes both 32-bit and 64-bit and there is a growing community of drivers for 64-bit Windows Vista we have not decided when Windows Client will follow Windows Server and become 64-bit only.

You can read the post here

Did you read Scorpio's post or the FAQ? They both clearly say what you just did.

[travisc]

Windows 7 will suport 32 bit computing and as long as the newest OS supports 32 bit many people will not go spend that much money for a new pc to run 64. Currently I am running 64 bit proccessor with Windows 7 M1 R2 32 bit and i think i will stay with 32 bit OS because vista 32 was much faster then Vista 64( I tried both in beta phases.)

[Mikee99]

and i think i will stay with 32 bit OS because vista 32 was much faster then Vista 64( I tried both in beta phases.)

I recently installed Vista 64 on another partition on my system, and I found it to be noticeably faster than 32-bit. Not much faster, but it felt more responsive. Game benchmarks also tend to be higher on Vista 64 as opposed to Vista 32.

[travisc]

I recently installed Vista 64 on another partition on my system, and I found it to be noticeably faster than 32-bit. Not much faster, but it felt more responsive. Game benchmarks also tend to be higher on Vista 64 as opposed to Vista 32.

lol maybe i should try with a final release instead of a beta then.