Hunt for a laptop

[RudeDawg]

I am looking for a new laptop for my 16 yo and 13 yo daughters. It seems all I can find in the 700-800 dollar range are running 7 Home Premium 64 bit. My concern is that there still isn't a lot of 64 bit software. Will this be a big problem?

 

[mckillwashere]

64 bit has actually become alot more backwards compatible since its earlier days. 64 bit versions of windows can run 32 bit applications almost seamlessly.

 

[RudeDawg]

Thanx McKill, this spawns another question. I'm running 7 Ultimate on my rig. Would it behoove me to go ahead and install the 64 bit version the next time I do a fresh install?

 

[mckillwashere]

Quick question you are running 4gb of ram and 1 gb video card correct?

 

[Imperfect1]

Many HP systems (like my Pavillion dv5t) have BOTH 32 bit and 64 bit. That totally solves the problem.

 

[pparks1]

Many HP systems (like my Pavillion dv5t) have BOTH 32 bit and 64 bit. That totally solves the problem.

Unless you are running a dual boot you are not running both 64 bit and 32 bit. Remember, 64 bit systems offer support for 64 bit apps as well as 32 bit apps. And 32 bit systems offer support for 32 bit apps and 16 bit apps.


There really isn't too much of a compatibility concern with 64-bit Windows. Unless you are running old 16 bit apps....pretty much just about everything else will work.

The only caveat is drivers. You must use 64-bit drivers. So, if you have an old scanner or old MP3 player....you might find they won't work anymore with 64-bit Windows.

 

[JMH]

I am looking for a new laptop for my 16 yo and 13 yo daughters. It seems all I can find in the 700-800 dollar range are running 7 Home Premium 64 bit. My concern is that there still isn't a lot of 64 bit software. Will this be a big problem?

No it won't!
I have been doing this very thing for years on 3 Laptops with no problems whatsoever...

Link included for your perusal -

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/86886-32-bit-vs-64-bit-comparison.html

 

[whs]

Don't woory about 64bit. But 7 to 800 Dollars for the kids seems a little steep. You should be able to find something suitable for less money.

Deals on Laptop

Newegg.com - ASUS P50IJ-X3 NoteBook Intel Pentium dual-core T4500(2.30GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi Intel GMA 4500M

 

[Imperfect1]

Many HP systems (like my Pavillion dv5t) have BOTH 32 bit and 64 bit. That totally solves the problem.

Unless you are running a dual boot you are not running both 64 bit and 32 bit. Remember, 64 bit systems offer support for 64 bit apps as well as 32 bit apps. And 32 bit systems offer support for 32 bit apps and 16 bit apps.

True, but that's not the point I was trying to deliver to the OP. I was merely trying to state that you can have a system that supports both -- that you don't have to give up support for 32 bit programs just because you have a 64 bit system. That's all.

 

[RudeDawg]

Looks like I'll stick to 32 bit. there are no 64 bit drivers for my printer and I am already running a dual boot 7/XP Pro. I know...... 7 has XP built in but this is just less fuss.