Thinkpad T60, 64 bit OS or 32 bit?

[jediphx]

I know generally you want 4 gigs of ram before you use XP 64 or Vista 64 bit. With the laptop specs below would the 64 bit OS still run nicely?

IBM Thinkpad T60 T7200 Core 2 Duo (2GHz)
2 GB RAM
80GB 5400rpm HD
15in 1400x1050 LCD
64MB ATI Radeon X1300
CDRW/DVD
Intel 802.11abg wireless
ATI X1300 64 meg,

 

[skriefal]

Yes, the 64-bit versions of XP and Vista will run fine on your laptop, or at least as well as the comparable 32-bit versions. The "4GB" number that is commonly thrown out is referring to the fact that if you have 4GB or more (really, about 3.5GB or more) of RAM then you'll need a 64-bit operating system to make all of the RAM useable. On systems with less than 3.5GB of RAM there is less incentive to use a 64-bit operating system due to scarcity of 64-bit software. But a 64-bit O/S will still work fine.

 

[JaYp146]

An x64 operating system will fly on that hardware. I'd opt for Windows 7 x64, personally.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: jediphx
I know generally you want 4 gigs of ram before you use XP 64 or Vista 64 bit. With the laptop specs below would the 64 bit OS still run nicely?

IBM Thinkpad T60 T7200 Core 2 Duo (2GHz)
2 GB RAM
80GB 5400rpm HD
15in 1400x1050 LCD
64MB ATI Radeon X1300
CDRW/DVD
Intel 802.11abg wireless
ATI X1300 64 meg,

i had one of those

ran 64 bit ubuntu great. i wouldnt bother with xp, but 64 vista/7 would do fine on it, im certain.

 

[corkyg]

It will play nicely. Then you can really enhance it by adding 2 more GB of RAM and replacing the 5400 drive with a 7200. 64 bit is the future. 32 bit is yesterday's news.

 

[Wuzup101]

I wouldn't go with anything other than a 64bit OS currently. Since ram and hard drives are cheap... get 4gb of ram and a 7200rpm hdd (WD makes a nice scorpio black 320gb for 79.99) as your first two upgrades!

 

[skriefal]

The T60 is limited to 3GB of addressable RAM, as is any system with an Intel 945-series chipset. You can install two 2GB sticks to get a small performance boost from dual-channel memory access, but only the first 3GB will be useable. This is true even with a 64-bit O/S.

 

[jediphx]

Thanks I currently have Windows 7 64 bit Build 7231 on it now with 2 gigs of ram. It runs fine but It still feels kinda sluggish. Might be the 5400 rpm HD or maybe I should try Vista 64 bit

 

[ELopes580]

Originally posted by: skriefal
The T60 is limited to 3GB of addressable RAM, as is any system with an Intel 945-series chipset. You can install two 2GB sticks to get a small performance boost from dual-channel memory access, but only the first 3GB will be useable. This is true even with a 64-bit O/S.

+1. I can confirm this as I have a T60 and have 2x2GB sodimms installed. I only have 3GB addressable. If you ever can, install a 7200 rpm HDD and you'll be good for 64bit OS.