then wants additional $199 for the upgrade from prem to pro 64bit is it worth it?
Wow, $199 to run the installation and upgrade seems steep to me. If you truly don't know what you are doing, it might be worth it. But I wouldn't give anybody at Best Buy $199 to install anything for me.
( I do the install; the disc cost $199 )
Will it have the crappy IDT/SigmaTel drivers?
Not sure what hardware it has...but if that is what it comes with, it will stay that way with the upgrade to Windows 7.
my current gateway laptop has the IDT stuff, I wonder if the newer laptop will also have it
You will be able to network them, but not with homegroups...as homegroups only work on Windows 7 and between other Windows 7 computers.
thanks
has anyone used the computer backup program on pro/ultimate that clones your drive in case of disaster?
Yes, I have used the "System Image" from Windows 7 and it works great. I've restored quite a number of times at work and at home. BTW it's available in "All" versions of Windows 7.
also home prem 64bit? --- then I won't update to pro
finally, what is good about a 64bit compared to 32bit?
Full support for 4GB of RAM or more. Applications specifically designed for 64-bit will run faster. However, you have to make sure that you have driver support in 64-bit for all of the hardware and such that you plan to run. While you can install and run 32-bit software, you cannot do the same with drivers. You have to install 64-bit drivers.c
I only connect my usb external Maxtor HDD's