Windows 64 bit question

[Confusednewbie1552]

So will Windows XP 64 bit have some new features and be like a new operating system, or is everything the saem just 64 bit? Should I risk using the beta as my main operating system? Or should I just wait till they have a full and final 64 bit widnows?

 

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IMO, if you can't afford a regular copy of WinXP Home or Pro, then yes, it is feasible to use the 64-bit beta as your main OS. But if you already have a copy of regular XP, I would do a dual boot to have access to both at all times. If you do decide to use the 64-bit beta as your main OS, be warned that not all 32-bit programs will work with it, and you may have trouble finding some drivers for your hardware (not as much anymore). But it should be stable enough for a regular home user who just browses the internet and does small tasks like word processing and the like.

As for having new features, I don't think the 64-bit version will have anything new that stands out. I believe Microsoft is tweaking a few things, but I'm not sure of specifics. If you are a regular average joe user, it will most likely mirror what the 32-bit XP is now.

 

[Confusednewbie1552]

Ok thanks, I'll just wait for 64 bit Longhorn to come out, unless the final XP 64 bit becomes free.

 

[Anubis08]

If I wait until right before it becomes retail can I still download the beta?

 

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Originally posted by: Anubis08
If I wait until right before it becomes retail can I still download the beta?

Not really sure about this. I would think they would take the beta down a couple of weeks beforehand, but I'm really not sure how they would handle it. It doesn't look like it will be released till beginning to mid of next year, so you still have a few months.