Summary of Windows 64-bit Vista Compatibility
Advantages of 64-bit Vista
As of the summer of 2008, there are not very many advantages of a 64-bit desktop for ordinary users. Programs that rely on intensive calculation will benefit, but even there, 64-bit applications run only 10% faster than their 32-bit counterparts.
The main reason for investing in a 64-bit processor is that it makes your new computer future-proof. 32-bit operating systems can only address 4 GB of address space, whereas 64-bit can address at least 128 GB and maybe as much as 16 Terabytes. It is only natural that in the next few years more and more software will be released to take advantage of this extra address space.
Strangely, I cannot see a 64-bit version of Microsoft Office on the horizon; however, the 32-bit version runs fine on 64-bit Vista (or XP). This just re-enforces the view that the real beneficiaries of a 64-bit platform are database servers.
Guy's Ezine 148 - Compatibility 64-bit Vista with 32-bit programs
While that refers to Vista it also points out the lack that will still be seen for 64bit softwares for some time despite 32bit emulation. The clintcher however was discussing the need for over 4gb comes from one blogger.
"Chris Flores,
a regular blogger on the official Vista site, has revealed that the proportion of all US machines with Vista running the 64-bit edition has tripled in the past three months. And in the same period, the proportion of new installations being the 64-bit version has gone up from 3% to 20%. So 64-bit is growing at a quickening pace.
Flores’s piece aims to reassure potential buyers that any product marked compatible for Vista will run on both editions. He also says retail computers should generally work “quite well” in terms of driver compatibility, but isn’t making any promises for home-built machines. (There is a built-in compatibility mode to run 32-bit software on the 64-bit Vista, but
its performance is patchy.)
The biggest advantage of a 64-bit machine for most people is its increased memory, usually at 4GB or more. Flores lists some studies showing the increased performance of high-memory machines under Vista. However, he’s cautious enough to point out that the average home user, who doesn’t need to run multiple memory-intensive programs (such as video editing) at once, will probably not see any major benefits at the moment.
There had been some speculation that Windows 7, due for release in 2010, would be a 64-bit only system. However, Microsoft recently confirmed it will be available in a 32-bit version as well. That’s likely a very sensible decision as it’s still unlikely 64-bit machines will become anywhere close to ‘standard’ within 18 months. And even when that does happen in the US, developing markets may still provide plenty of business for 32-bit systems."
Microsoft ready for 64-bit push - VISTA.BLORGE
