Moving to 64-bit...

[TheGeek]

I think I will be trying out 64-bit Vista Business and I have a few questions. From what I've read, performance is about on par with the 32-bit version, but are there any programs which run signifigantly faster or slower on 64-bit? Also, are there any major programs that have compatibility issues? The main programs I use are Office and Visual Studio 2k5 and then various games. And is there anything else I should know/be mindful of? And I will be doing this on my MBP, so if anyone has tried to install the 64-bit with Boot Camp, did you have any problems finding any drivers? Thanks a lot.

 

[Noema]

Unless you have a compelling reason to use 64-bit (like needing a 64-bit process to use more than 2GB of memory, or having 4GB of RAM or more on your laptop), I'd stick with the 32-bit version.

I don't recommend running 64-bit just because it's 64-bit. I've been running it for a while with no issues but it's still not on par with the 32-bit version, in terms of driver availability. I have a couple of devices which do not work, as well as several programs which don't work either. For me it's worth it because I have 4GB of RAM which I wouldn't be able to fully use otherwise, but I really don't see the point on a laptop.

 

[homercles337]

The only problem i have is that the Hauppauge HVR950 does not have 64-bit drivers. Actually, afaik, hauppauge doesnt have any true 64-bit drivers. There is some hack to get it to work with media center, but business (and enterprise, my install) doesnt have it. No TV means im not in a big rush to make my move to a vista 64-bit only environment. Everything else was great though.