Will 64 bit processor computers finally ship with 64 bit windows 7?

[episodic]

I've noticed major manufacturers ship 32 bit OS's with their 64 bit machines. will windows 7 change that?

Also, looking toward the launch - I need some simple questions answered about the 64 bit OS. . .

1. Will 32 bit apps run just fine on it? Like I notice that several photoshop extensions only work in 32 bits. . . can I still use them with a 64 bit photoshop? Will the 32 bit photoshop even run?
2. Do 32 bit drivers run on a 64 bit OS?
3. What else should I know ? - I've never really considered it before now, been waiting for it to mature. . . .

 

[CalvinHobbes]

Generally speaking 32bit apps can run under a 64bit OS. I do it all the time. On the 64bit OS (2003 and 2008) there are two Program Files directories, one for 32bit and one for 64bit. As far as drivers, I always use the 64bit version of the drivers.

 

[Nothinman]

I've noticed major manufacturers ship 32 bit OS's with their 64 bit machines. will windows 7 change that?

Vista64 is shipped or at least made an option already on a lot of hardware so it depends on how scared the manufactures are by then.

1. Will 32 bit apps run just fine on it? Like I notice that several photoshop extensions only work in 32 bits. . . can I still use them with a 64 bit photoshop? Will the 32 bit photoshop even run?

32-bit Photoshop should run fine but will be limited to 4G of VM no matter how much physical memory you have installed. 64-bit Photoshop won't be able to use 32-bit plugins, a 64-bit process can't load 32-bit libraries or vice versa.

2. Do 32 bit drivers run on a 64 bit OS?

No, just like userland processes a 64-bit kernel can't load 32-bit code into it's address space.

3. What else should I know ? - I've never really considered it before now, been waiting for it to mature. . . .

Just make sure you have 64-bit drivers for all of your hardware and you should be fine.

 

[egale]

Photoshop installs both the 32bit and 64bit versions. In order to run with 64 bit photoshop, you need 64bit plugins. You can use 64bit photoshop and when you need the 32bit plugin, you have to close one and open the other. Eventually everything will switch over.

64 bit OSs require 64 bit drivers. Most are available for newer hardware.

 

[episodic]

So why is it when I go to major manufacturer sites, all the systems I'm looking at only have a 32 bit option? If the processors are 64 bit capable - why isn't it being offered?

 

[Scotteq]

Originally posted by: episodic
I've noticed major manufacturers ship 32 bit OS's with their 64 bit machines. will windows 7 change that?

All of Gateway's desktops are shipping with Vista 64 bit, and most of their laptops.

Dell is also shipping Vista 64 on all but their cheapest systems.

HP ship Vista 64 on all systems with more than 3GB of RAM.

1. Will 32 bit apps run just fine on it? Like I notice that several photoshop extensions only work in 32 bits. . . can I still use them with a 64 bit photoshop? Will the 32 bit photoshop even run?

YES - 32 bit (Windows) apps run perfectly fine on 64 bit Windows. Just be advised that you can't mix plugins, 3rd party libraries, etc from 32 and 64 bit sources on an application level.

2. Do 32 bit drivers run on a 64 bit OS?

No - You have to use 64 bit drivers. With recent hardware - nearly anything that's less than 5 years old - this is a trivial issue.

3. What else should I know ? - I've never really considered it before now, been waiting for it to mature. . . .

The time for waiting is over.

Originally posted by: episodic
So why is it when I go to major manufacturer sites, all the systems I'm looking at only have a 32 bit option? If the processors are 64 bit capable - why isn't it being offered?

I believe you need to look again:

All Gateway's Desktops:
http://www.gateway.com/systems....php?cmpid=topnav_shop


64 bit PCs from Dell:
http://www.dell.com/us/en/home...-bit&a=51800~0~1932542


...and all HP computers with more than 3GB of RAM...

 

[episodic]

Hmm, that is interesting, I usually bought dell vostros on special, and it seems that you are right, on the home side - plenty of 64 bit OS - but not on the biz side. . .

My bad. . .

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: episodic
Hmm, that is interesting, I usually bought dell vostros on special, and it seems that you are right, on the home side - plenty of 64 bit OS - but not on the biz side. . .

My bad. . .

Biz side is usually the last to adopt new OS's and switching over. They usually keep computers for ungodly amounts of time.

 

[fr]

Most retail consumer desktops (HP, Compaq, Dell, Acer, Gateway) are shipping with 64-bit Vista and 4GB or more RAM. A year ago, it was maybe just 25% because computers weren't shipping with as much RAM back then (2-3GB).

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: episodic
I've noticed major manufacturers ship 32 bit OS's with their 64 bit machines. will windows 7 change that?

This has been changing a lot recently. Since RAM is so cheap these days many PC's, even low cost PCs, ship with 4GB and most of those with Vista64. HP, in particular, is really good about this. Last year I picked up a Tablet PC with 4GB of RAM for $899 and it came with Vista 64-bit Ultimate edition. My cousin picked up a $600 laptop a month prior with 4GB and it came with Vista 64-bit home premium. There have been a few other folks I know that picked up new laptops over the past year and every one of them with 4GB+ have had Vista 64 installed.

Also, looking toward the launch - I need some simple questions answered about the 64 bit OS. . .

1. Will 32 bit apps run just fine on it? Like I notice that several photoshop extensions only work in 32 bits. . . can I still use them with a 64 bit photoshop? Will the 32 bit photoshop even run?

32-bit apps run just fine under 64-bit windows. There are some compatibility issues here and there, but it's less to do with 64-bit and more to do with XP vs Vista/7. 16bit apps, on the other hand, can't run under 64bit windows. But I seriously doubt many people have a problem. We're talking about ancient Windows 3.0 apps. We've been 32bit since windows 95.

2. Do 32 bit drivers run on a 64 bit OS?

No, you need 64bit drivers. That said, if your devices have the "Vista" logo on the packaging, it must have 32 and 64bit drivers available. Check with your hardware manufacturers to confirm if any devices do not have them. At this point, you should be fine, but there are some older printers and scanners that may not have drivers.

3. What else should I know ? - I've never really considered it before now, been waiting for it to mature. . . .

It's mature now. You would be surprised how many consumers are running 64 bit windows TODAY without even realizing it.