final ???? B4 I bury myself in another $854

Here are a few questions B4 I buy a win7 gateway laptop.

bestbuy http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9548661&type=product&id=1218122908891&srccode=cii_11234&cpncode=24-8130499&cmp=KA14525&ref=16&loc=02

then wants additional $199 for the upgrade from prem to pro 64bit is it worth it?

Will it have the crappy IDT/SigmaTel drivers?

Will I be able to network my vista SP2 32bit laptop to the new win7 64bit laptop ( homegroup thing ) or even see my XP pro and win2000 rigs?

has anyone used the computer backup program on pro/ultimate that clones your drive in case of disaster?

finally, what is good about a 64bit compared to 32bit?


as always,
thank you,

~Carmine

pacinitaly said:

then wants additional $199 for the upgrade from prem to pro 64bit is it worth it?

Click to expand...

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.

pacinitaly said:

Will it have the crappy IDT/SigmaTel drivers?

Click to expand...

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.

pacinitaly said:

Will I be able to network my vista SP2 32bit laptop to the new win7 64bit laptop ( homegroup thing ) or even see my XP pro and win2000 rigs?

Click to expand...

You will be able to network them, but not with homegroups...as homegroups only work on Windows 7 and between other Windows 7 computers.

pacinitaly said:

has anyone used the computer backup program on pro/ultimate that clones your drive in case of disaster?

Click to expand...

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.

pacinitaly said:

finally, what is good about a 64bit compared to 32bit?

Click to expand...

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.

Get the version of Windows that suits your needs, if you don't need pro then don't get it, if you can get 64bit for the same price then go for it.

There will be benefits from using x64 as that's what your CPU architecture was designed for plus you will also be able to address more memory and it's generally faster then 32bit as 32bit faster and better then 16bit or 8bit and so on, it's called progress and there is no point fighting it, just embrace the future and enjoy the ride.

Bring on 256bit 512bit 1024bit

Mr GRiM said:

it's called progress and there is no point fighting it, just embrace the future and enjoy the ride.

Bring on 256bit 512bit 1024bit

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Well, life isn't always easy. If you work for a compnay that uses a Cisco based firewall and you need to VPN in....you are SOL...as Cisco hasn't embraced 64-bit yet with their Cisco VPN client.

That's just one example, where the latest and the greatest isn't always a slam-dunk in the success dept.

That's good example of why we are still only trying to push x64 and haven't gone to the next level already, to many companies not willing to upgrade and holding back progress.

pparks1 said:

pacinitaly said:

then wants additional $199 for the upgrade from prem to pro 64bit is it worth it?

Click to expand...

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 )

pacinitaly said:

Will it have the crappy IDT/SigmaTel drivers?

Click to expand...

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

pacinitaly said:

has anyone used the computer backup program on pro/ultimate that clones your drive in case of disaster?

Click to expand...

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

pacinitaly said:

finally, what is good about a 64bit compared to 32bit?

Click to expand...

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.cI only connect my usb external Maxtor HDD's

Click to expand...

Thank you so much!

I checked it out.....

no way

Personally i'd shop for a better deal...there are far too many Vendors out there that will give you Win7 Upgrade at no charge.

That really does sound like a rip-off.

Competition is prety stiff right now. Like Patio suggests: Look around for a better deal.

..and I agree...Bestbuy pretty much charges a premium...should you so choose, you could do it yourself easy enough.