Microsoft Vista. Buying a new system & can chose a 32 or 64 bit Vista. Any disadvantages for the 64bit?

Question

I understand drivers are the issue but I really only run an HP printer which hopefully Vista will have a driver for? I thought 64 bit as it will probably be more future proofing than a 32 bit. As it will be a new system vista will cope with it- I hope

Answer 1

Problems with 64bit systems are the lack of compatible software with it. Most everything today is geared towards the 32bit architecture. Eventually things will move to 64, but in the meantime 32bit is the more stable of the two.

Answer 2

I've used Vista Ultimate 64bit & it is smother & fater than the 32 bit.
If I had the choice that would be it. Much more secure as well.

Here is a quote from an article I saved that points out some of the reasons not to go 64:

For those with 64-bit processors, it seems obvious that installing the x64 version of vista would be ideal. The x64 version has increased security based around the 64-bit structure and programs compiled for 64-bit processors will likely run faster.

What's the problem with installing Vista x64 on a 64-bit system?

1. Most hardware does not currently have 64-bit drivers.

Out of all the boxes that I have installed x64 Vista on, I could always get it to boot up. However, the lack of 64-bit drivers for many hardware devices typically left me without any chance of burning DVDs or listening to audio. Networking devices and card readers were frequently not supported as well. Vista x64 is pretty but it's not very fun without network access or audio.

2. In Vista x64, any driver that is not properly signed will not be able to enter the kernel and will fail to load.

Think how many times you have ignored that warning that a certain hardware driver is not properly signed. With vista x64, if your driver has not be blessed by Microsoft, it will not work. Forget about it.

I have tired to get around this by booting with the F8 option Disable Driver Signature. It doesn't make a difference.

3. Vista x64 currently does not backward support most x86 (32-bit) drivers.

For the most part 64-bit systems run 32-bit applications very well. However, vista x64 doesn't run x86 drivers... at least at this stage.

4. Vista x64 does not support 16-bit software.

You may think that you never, ever run 16-bit software. However, XP actually handles this legacy fairly well.

5. Very little x64 software currently exists.

x64 software runs better on a x64 system with an x64 OS. Currently, however, there is very little x64 software out there. If you have that magical combination, you do get a nice performance boost. Currently, however, this combination is way to far ahead of the curve.

Hope it helps.
regards,
Philip T