I'm about to buy a new PC. It comes with Windows 7 Home Premium Edition installed but I can have that changed.
So I could get the PC as is or get it with a 64bit version of Windows 7 installed.
For some reason many new PCs' come with Windows 7 32bit (not 64bit) installed and I don't understand why that is. It just doesn't seem to make sense: why use a 32bit OS in combination with a 64bit processor?
So... what's the better choice: Windows 7 32bit or Windows 7 64bit (and why)?
Windows 7 64bit
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Brick Break
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- Joined: Aug 24, 2009 1:24
The problem with a 64-bit operating system is that it doesn't support the 16-bit structure, meaning a lot of command-line programs you may use won't run. That's fine, however, if you're just playing games, because fullscreen support was dropped for 16-bit apps in Vista anyways (why, I don't know). Also, FreeBASIC should run just fine, even the DOS version, because it's all 32-bit. However, I would recommend the 32-bit version of Windows 7, because
a) it costs less
b) It should be able to run all of the old utilities
c) it encourages Microsoft not to drop support for old programs
Also, most of the new software is written for 32-bit anyways, so you don't need 64-bit (even though it should run 32-bit apps). Basically, here's how it goes with Windows:
DOS, Windows 1-3: 16-bit
Win32 (95, NT etc): 16-bit and 32-bit
Win64 (Server, etc): 32-bit and 64-bit
a) it costs less
b) It should be able to run all of the old utilities
c) it encourages Microsoft not to drop support for old programs
Also, most of the new software is written for 32-bit anyways, so you don't need 64-bit (even though it should run 32-bit apps). Basically, here's how it goes with Windows:
DOS, Windows 1-3: 16-bit
Win32 (95, NT etc): 16-bit and 32-bit
Win64 (Server, etc): 32-bit and 64-bit
@AGS
I have Windows 7 Ultimate 64 and I love it. You can only access large amounts of RAM (>4Gb) using a 64bit OS. Also, there are lots of powerful things you can do with a 64bit OS. As a developer, I run a dual boot system with 64bit Linux and W7. I also run virtual OSs using VirtualBox (Its Free!). You can do this under both Linux and Windows. If you need to run a DOS app, just create a virtual DOS box.
There is also an increasing number of high-end applications that take advantage of the 64-bit architecture such as Adobe Premier and soon Photoshop. This will only continue as these processors become more prevalent.
You will find instances where there are compatibility issues with older software, but you can always run them virtually.
My .02
-Vince
I have Windows 7 Ultimate 64 and I love it. You can only access large amounts of RAM (>4Gb) using a 64bit OS. Also, there are lots of powerful things you can do with a 64bit OS. As a developer, I run a dual boot system with 64bit Linux and W7. I also run virtual OSs using VirtualBox (Its Free!). You can do this under both Linux and Windows. If you need to run a DOS app, just create a virtual DOS box.
There is also an increasing number of high-end applications that take advantage of the 64-bit architecture such as Adobe Premier and soon Photoshop. This will only continue as these processors become more prevalent.
You will find instances where there are compatibility issues with older software, but you can always run them virtually.
My .02
-Vince
I agree with vdecampo. I was using XP x64 for a couple years with little compatability problems. Now I run Windows 7 Ultmate 64-bit. If I need to run a 16-bit DOS program I typically use DOSBox or if I need a "real" DOS I use a virtual machine running MSDOS 6.22 or something similar.
There is no advantage to clinging to the old like a trusted blanket, embrace change and move forward so problems of the old will become a thing of the past.
There is no advantage to clinging to the old like a trusted blanket, embrace change and move forward so problems of the old will become a thing of the past.
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jevans4949
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KristopherWindsor
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crysstaafur
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My apologize in advance if I'm restating any information.
Any PC you purchase from a retailer like BestBuy that has 4GB or more memory will automatically be 64bit. Much like 32bit software replaced 16bit, the same is happening now. Soon, everything will be 64bit. Be prepared.
The topic of Vitalization was mentioned earlier. This is a great solution. As a matter of fact the Professional version of Windows 7 come with a free virtualized copy of Windows XP (32bit), which runs inside of a virtual machine included in Pro.
You can also achieve the same thing using my personal favorite VirutalBox from Sun Microsystems. The virtual machine application is free, but you will a copy of windows (legit or not) to install on top of it.
I write all of my software from Linux, and have a Virtual Windows XP installation running on my desktop so I can compile and test my code on both platforms :)
Any PC you purchase from a retailer like BestBuy that has 4GB or more memory will automatically be 64bit. Much like 32bit software replaced 16bit, the same is happening now. Soon, everything will be 64bit. Be prepared.
The topic of Vitalization was mentioned earlier. This is a great solution. As a matter of fact the Professional version of Windows 7 come with a free virtualized copy of Windows XP (32bit), which runs inside of a virtual machine included in Pro.
You can also achieve the same thing using my personal favorite VirutalBox from Sun Microsystems. The virtual machine application is free, but you will a copy of windows (legit or not) to install on top of it.
I write all of my software from Linux, and have a Virtual Windows XP installation running on my desktop so I can compile and test my code on both platforms :)
Does your final remark imply that I could do the same the other way around (write all my software on Windows and test my code on both platforms?). The situation being:Michael wrote:My apologize in advance if I'm restating any information.
Any PC you purchase from a retailer like BestBuy that has 4GB or more memory will automatically be 64bit. Much like 32bit software replaced 16bit, the same is happening now. Soon, everything will be 64bit. Be prepared.
The topic of Vitalization was mentioned earlier. This is a great solution. As a matter of fact the Professional version of Windows 7 come with a free virtualized copy of Windows XP (32bit), which runs inside of a virtual machine included in Pro.
You can also achieve the same thing using my personal favorite VirutalBox from Sun Microsystems. The virtual machine application is free, but you will a copy of windows (legit or not) to install on top of it.
I write all of my software from Linux, and have a Virtual Windows XP installation running on my desktop so I can compile and test my code on both platforms :)
- Windows 7 running on my PC;
- some Virtual Machine running Linux.
My current PC does not have the resources to run a virtual machine, run windows and do something like compiling software all at the same time.
But my new PC will come with 12GB+ installed (and a fast CPU). So..... will I be able to run Windows 7 and Linux at the same time (memory should not be a problem any more) while also compiling a program (either in Windows 7 or Linux). It would be great to finally get into the cross platform thing without having to fiddle around with Live CDs (running Puppy Linux/Slax .ISO using a VM?).
Hey, I just got windows 7 64bit, and I also assumed the DOS proggies would work fine since they use a 32bit extender, but unfortunately this does not seem to be the case, when I attempt to compile a program using the DOS fbc.exe I get the usual incompatible with 64bit error message :(Brick Break wrote:Also, FreeBASIC should run just fine, even the DOS version, because it's all 32-bit.