A PC I’m looking at getting comes loaded with the 64-bit version of Windows 7. I would probably opt for just the regular 32-bit version if I could, but this PC has the just-right combo of hardware/price-point and the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is that ominous sounding 64-bit Windows. I don’t really care too much about the performance boost, specially if it comes along with difficulties in finding compatible software and device drivers.
So, tell me what your experience in the 64-bit world has been like. Any problems with stuff like a free anti-virus that works with 64-bit? How about device-drivers for peripherals you’ve purchased?
Is it a major pain, or has the tech world fully evolved to accommodate 64-bit? Am I worried over nothing, or should I run in the other direction?
Absolutely no problems whatsoever. Unless you have very old or very esoteric hardware, drivers should not be an issue at all. And program compatibility is practically flawless. Programs that are 32-bit install seamlessly in ‘Program Files (x86)’ instead of ‘Program Files’, and just work. I’ve come across only a very small number of applications that don’t work without some effort (or not at all). And if you’re going to run more than 4 GB of RAM, you need 64-bit in order to access it.
With Windows 7, 64-bit is a no brainer. go for it.
64 bit windows7 is nothing like the evil that was 64bit XP, 64 bit windows 7 is the NORMAL version. If someone is pushing a system with 32 bit, I would shy away.
16-bit software won’t run. this is mostly limited to old programs.
some old hardware might not have drivers.
basically, if you don’t know whether you should use 64-bit Windows, you probably should.
oh, and as Suburban Plankton said, if your system has more than 4 GB of RAM, you need 64-bit Windows in order to use it all. Otherwise you’ll be limited to using about 3.25 GB.
I use 64-bit Windows 7 and really, really like it. I’ve never had a single problem with the OS; it’s never crashed, never had to fight it, nothing. It’s certainly true that 64-bit software was very touchy when it first came out, but things have since stabilized.
Thanks everyone for the input. I am a serial late adopter and always prefer to let everybody else get all the kinks ironed out of something before I make the switch. Sounds like that’s been done and now I can cling to Win7* for the next decade.
I got my first 64-bit system recently (an Acer netbook), and while I was prepared to reimage it with 32-bit at the first sign of hassle, it’s been smooth sailing. I’ve been using mostly 32-bit software including some games, and it all runs with no problems.
I had to upgrade someone’s computer to the ‘pro’ edition of Win 7 (I think that was the upgrade), so I could run virtual Win XP for a old word processor (AmiPro made for Win 3.1) that they still used.
Got it working and the print driver also needed in XP mode.
That was the only hiccup that the 64 bit Win 7 had, though it cost about $100 for that update.
I have been running on a 64 bit operating system for quite some while now and never had problems with it to date. Though, using it would require the presence of some more hardware than what you could make do with on a 32 bit software. If you are sporting more than 4gb of ram, then this is the obvious way to go. With a 32 bit, you are just limited to be able to access about 3gb of ram so even if you have at the most 24gb of ram, you can only make use of 3.
Esoteric/open source drivers sometimes fail (usually only happens when you’re using something that wasn’t really intended to work with the system anyway, like a PS3 controller hack)
Older games can be a barrel of fun to try and get to run. This is more a problem with newer Operating Systems in general, but 64-bit seems to have less workarounds and fixes than 32-bit.
That said, these issues are rare, and usually rather manageable.
The problem running 16 bit software on 64-bit Windows 7 does have a solution if you’re willing to invest in the Professional or Ultimate editions (or Ultimate’s volume license twin, Enterprise). With one of those versions, you can run XP Mode (a special enhancement to VirtualPC) that will let you run 16 bit applications, even on your desktop as though they were “regular” apps. The only major downside is that you have to install them inside the XP virtual machine, and the first time after a reboot that you run an XP-mode application, the whole VM has to boot.
My old, 16-bit only version of Stars! runs very well on my i7, 16 GB Windows 7 64-bit machine.
I was fully prepared to hate it, but I like it a lot.
The only problem I had was with my old printer which I couldn’t find a driver for, but it was a freebie with my old PC so it was no big loss and it wasn’t very good to start with. (yes, I was looking for an excuse to buy a new one)
I updated to the Professional edition so I could use the Virtual XP mode and my ancient 16-bit programs work just fine. I had no trouble installing or using any of the 32 bit programs.
I got a new laptop in spring 2010 and had a few driver issues. I recently had a HD go cowshit and had to reinstall Win7, no driver issues this time around.
