Re: Dual booting - 32 & 64 bit versions (supplementary question)
"Yousuf Khan" <bbbl67@spammenot.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:4b8b6455$1@news.bnb-lp.com...
> Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
>> On Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:08:55 -0500, Yousuf Khan
>> <bbbl67@spammenot.yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Regarding 64-bit, there's nothing to worry about here anymore. Just go
>>> ahead and do it, and don't diddle around with 32-bit anymore. It's well
>>> past time to go to 64-bit.
>>
>>
>> I strongly disagree.
>
> Why would you strongly disagree, all of your statements below make it
> sound like you only slightly disagree.
>
>> There's very little benefit of running a 64-bit version of Windows
>> now, because the benefit is essentially gotten only if you run 64-bit
>> applications. And there are very few 64-bit applications yet.
>>
>> And there is often a serious disadvantage of 64-bit Windows for many
>> people. If they have hardware for which they need but can't get a
>> 64-bit driver, they may have to spend the money to replace the
>> hardware.
>>
>> *However*, for those without driver issues. I think most people should
>> use 64-bit Windows--not because it's better today, but because it's a
>> step forward that will let them buy 64-bit applications as they become
>> available.
>
>
> Most newer systems these days are coming with at least 4GB of RAM. If
> somebody has a device driver that won't work in 64-bit, then likely it'll
> have a tough time working 32-bit Windows 7 as well, as the driver models
> have all been changed from the XP days.
>
> Yousuf Khan
A major consideration in buying a new PC and operating system
is fear that your old stuff will be no longer available. I have hundreds of
documents and spreadsheets created with Lotus software. Word and Excel
won't read them, and Lotus will not install under Windows 7. It was a pain
in the butt converting them, and I even had to install a font which was not
included with Windows 7 (Lydian if you are curious). I was a bit worried
that the 64 bit version would be more of a problem which is why I chose
32 bit. Certainly I have not had as many problems with software
incompatibility as I expected from reading web pages about Windows 7.
Basically therefore, if buying a new PC and operating system, the sooner
you expect to be replacing it, the more likely it is that 32 bit is the best
choice.