64bit Question

[duxbuz]

Hiya,

Why do I never seem to see 64bit windows?

64bit windows can utilize much more memory can it not?

Why is it not widespread?

All laptops we buy have 32bit. I dont know if they have 64bit capability, but it just seems weird that it has not taken over and become the standard used.

I know software is an issue.

Does anyone use 64bit? Is software a nightmare?

Thanks.

[Jamo]

I use 64 bit at home, if we used 64 bit here, first off a lot of our PCs do not have 64 bit capable chips so would not work, and also we use XP and XP64 is not good!

I find for home use 64 bit is great, more memory , but apart from that you wouldn't notice the difference.

[ICT_GUY]

64 vista works well, photoshop loves more ram.

[3s-gtech]

The transition is taking a long time, but it's coming. Server 2008 R2 is not available in 32bit form, Windows 7 64bit seems to be more the 'standard' installation, and I suspect the next version of Windows will be 64bit only (though they were saying that about Vista).

[Michael]

There was an article I read the other day which interestingly came to the conclusion more users are now using 64bit for Windows 7. Most if not all newer machines are 64bit compatible, but come with a 32bit OS installed.

To be honest I'd only use 64bit when absolutely necessary. I can think of few scenarios (at the current time) whereby 64bit would be needed. I suspect Windows 8 and Windows Server 2011 or 2012 will be 64bit only and this is where I can imagine more of an emphasis will be put on 64bit itself. There's still far too many applications out there which are 32bit only. Microsoft really should of made Windows 7 64bit only.

[simpsonj]

I think, and I'm sure I'll be corrected, that the reason why 64bit isn't standard (although I believe Server 2008 R2 is now 64bit only) is that older programs rely on 16bit or 8 bit processing, which a 64bit processor cannot do. I'm sure there's a very good technical answer, but i can't provide that!

That being said, I've got 64bit Windows Vista at home, and it works perfectly, and I'm starting to roll out 64bit machines onto our school network.

However, there isn't a lot of software that utilises 64bit (or dual cores or quad cores...), so there isn't much benefit, other than being able to use over 4gig of RAM. Unless you're using something like the Adobe Suite of software, which makes the most of everything your system can give it.

[AyatollahPies]

Probably because I'd estimate that 99% of computer users do not need 64-bit.

How many folk do you know that just browse the internet, update their Facebook profile (every 5 mins) and shop online? A celeron with 1GB ram is more than sufficient for this task.

I need it for my 8GB home PC though. :-)

[Jamo]

The transition is taking a long time, but it's coming. Server 2008 R2 is not available in 32bit form, Windows 7 64bit seems to be more the 'standard' installation, and I suspect the next version of Windows will be 64bit only (though they were saying that about Vista).

I had heard (Via an RM conference I am shamed to say) that 7 will be the last 32 bit OS from M$ and they will be looking at 128bit for the next OS. Not sure how much truth is in that but it will be interesting.

[Jamo]

I think, and I'm sure I'll be corrected, that the reason why 64bit isn't standard (although I believe Server 2008 R2 is now 64bit only) is that older programs rely on 16bit or 8 bit processing, which a 64bit processor cannot do. I'm sure there's a very good technical answer, but i can't provide that!

That being said, I've got 64bit Windows Vista at home, and it works perfectly, and I'm starting to roll out 64bit machines onto our school network.

However, there isn't a lot of software that utilises 64bit (or dual cores or quad cores...), so there isn't much benefit, other than being able to use over 4gig of RAM. Unless you're using something like the Adobe Suite of software, which makes the most of everything your system can give it.

Its not the processor cannot do it, its that they havent written it into the OS. For 32 bit windows its the NTVDM (virtual DOS machine) that does 16 bit processing I believe. Out with the old and in the with new!

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_DOS_machine]Virtual DOS machine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

[duxbuz]

I have computers running mcafee AV! They could do with 128gig of RAM!

[wiwo]

It's not always easy to get drivers for 64bit operating systems. We use W7 64bit on most desktops, but Vista 32bit if it has a scanner attached.

Also some old curriculum software doesn't run on 64bit OS's, so we're in a transition phase.

[3s-gtech]

The next Winodws OS is looking to be in 2012, I haven't seen any roadmaps for 128bit processing - considering the memory limit with 64bit is in terms of exabytes, and the OSs can address many hundreds of GB of RAM, that won't be necessary for a while.

[Michael]

they will be looking at 128bit for the next OS

I highly doubt this. Windows 8 provisionally will be released as soon as next year or next and there isn't a single 128bit mainstream processor on the market.

[tmcd35]

I had heard (Via an RM conference I am shamed to say) they will be looking at 128bit for the next OS.

*cough* b*llsh*t *cough* - sorry - I'd hit the RM rep with a reality hammer sharpish! Does he realise how much addressable memory 64bit gives? Why on earth would we need an 128bit OS? Beside it's taken M$ nigh on 10 years to move from 32bit to 64bit. Can't see them moving from 64bit to 128bit in 3 years!

I think the problem with 64bit is their hasn't been any real consumer drive for it. 4Gb is still about average for RAM on a new consumer PC. Outside of specialist (professional) high-end software (photoshop, music, video, etc) there hasn't been any need for software to make the jump either.

Of course Moores law is now coming into play. Ram is now cheap enough that high end consumers want 8Gb or more and 4-core 64bit processors are becoming the norm. So based on that, this time next year I'd guess all new machines will be sold 64bit only and you'd have to buy 32bit seperatly if you need it.

I'd be confident in saying Windows 8 would be 64bit only

[Jamo]

128bit windows - Google Search

Lol yeah I realise it does seem a bit crazy, seems there might have been rumblings of it at M$ headquarters. I think it has more benefits in terms of other things like 4D vectors being able to put 4 32bit ints into a register or somthing has some weird benefits over 64 bit. The RAM thing would be insane though, even Norton 360 would escape being a memory hog!!