If you are still not using 64-bit operating systems you should read

wilywombat said:

Some organisations have 32 bit bespoke software running and upgrading to 64bit would incur large cost for software re-writes let alone upgrading the hardware.

32-bit software works just fine on 64-bit operating systems. What doesn't work, is 16 bit applications....that are supported with 32-bit systems.

wilywombat said:

As far as I can see, there is not much to be gained by the average family joe who doesn't need the power and amounts of RAM that a 64 bit windows sytem would give them the ability to run.

I tend to agree with this view. The average consumer just doesn't have a need for more than 4GB of RAM yet. Generally speaking, they don't run apps that "really" take advantage of 64-bit processors.

swarfega said:

This is why you have virtualisation. To easy the pain of transition until such time you are ready to go fully 64-bit when the day arrives when 32-bit is no longer fully supported.

However, in a business and such...having to run and support 2 operating systems is a real PITA for both the user and the IT staff. For home users and such, it works out alright.

Rei Tumult said:

Business will probably still be using 32 bit systems for many years to come, but consumers will most likely make the switch sooner. I'm already running my computer with Win 7 Pro 64 bit all 64 bit drivers, 64 bit Firefox, 64 bit flash player and more.

When did Adobe release a 64bit flash for Windows?


Anywho: anyone remember when 32bit architecture was released? and how long did it take before 16bit code was gone/abandoned?

My main issue is this.......MONEY.
I have no need at all for anything more than what I have now. Sure, it's an old system, but for what I do, it's fine. I'll get a laptop soon, and it'll probably be x64, but I still have no need for it to be x64.


I've had the same arguments about phones. I use my phone mostly as a.......you guessed it, PHONE. That's what it is, and it's kinda tiring having these ungodly expensive Smartphones with contracts shoved in my face just because of "all they can do". Well, that's nice and all, but I have NO need for any of that. But ur gonna try to convince me that I need it anyway? I think not.
Just like the x86/x64 platform, it would just be a waste of money for something that I don't need.

Sure if you are going to need to do virtual machines or heavy video processing or something else that needs lots of memory then sure go get it, but if you don't why use it? The reason not to use it is long.

1) Manufactures develop and test their 32 bit drivers first not to mention old hardware may never get a 64 bit version.
2) Software is developed and tested first on 32 bit. Don't think so what about that 64 bit Adobe Reader? What about the 64 bit Quicken (doesn't exist), I could name lots more, but the point is just because a 32 bit application can run on 64 bits doesn't mean you need to run it there. There is more chances that it won't work right. There is no speed improvement.
3) 64 bit uses 1.25 to 1.5 more disk space and memory.
4) The 64 bit OS by definition has to run in 32 bit and 64 bit modes. This is more complications that can go wrong and also lead to confusion when trying to solve a problem. A person has a problem accessing a web site with IE. You are trying to help them, but right away you have a problem are they using the 32 bit or the 64 bit IE (sometimes it matters!). You ask which are you using the 64 bit or 32 bit? And their answer is "Huh?". You see not everyone out there is a geek that understand all this they just run the web browser. And even you are dealing with someone that knows the 64 bit browser from the 32 bit browser, what to you tell them when something works on the 32 bit browser, but not the 64 bit? Do the same for any other application, but now the user might have a just A: just a 32 bit application, B: just a 64 bit application, C: both. And along with each of those applications you get different registry entries, and shared data folders, ...

So tell me again why the question shouldn't be why are you using a 64 bit OS when you have no need other then the salesman said it was the "best" or because some geek friend recommended it because they always like the "newest" and "greatest"?

I have over 30+ years experience in software and hardware. I have machines that can be run in 64 bit mode, I have access to both the 32 and 64 bit Windows DVD. I choose to install 32 bit Windows 7 on my machine because I have no need for the 64 bit.

I remember seeing an article about talk of a 128 bit processor and all the geeks were like "Oh I got to have that" or "In 5 years everyone will be running 128 bit". Some time look up how much memory you can access with a 64 bit processor and try to imagine why anything other the a Super Super computer (or "world database") would need this.
(answer for 64 bits: 18446744073709551616 bytes)
(One Terabyte is: 1099511627776 bytes)