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It seems increasingly popular for laptop manufacturers to preinstall the 64 bit version of Windows 7 on laptops. Whilst there are well understood benefits of 64 bit OS over 32 bit, how much of that is realisable on a laptop? What is the real advantage of 64 bit OS when the hardware otherwise limits performance by the capabilities of the RAM slots and hard disk data rates?
Martin
Posted 2011-05-04T11:54:30.623
Reputation: 2 445
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Since you've hinted that you've understood the benefits of 64 bit OS's, I will not elaborate on this aspect. One other reason is to do with Microsoft moving to ensure that eventually all their OS will be only 64 bit.
One big step is that their Windows Server 2008 R2 is only available as a 64 bit OS. If Microsoft, with the help of laptop manufacturers can get all their users to migrate to 64 bit OS's when both options are available; then when they release their '64 bit only' Desktop line of OS's in the future, the market (with users on Desktops and Laptops) will receive it with little or no resistance.
Thomas
Posted 2011-05-04T11:54:30.623
Reputation: 2 232
3Beyond Microsoft's software, there's hardware to consider in this equation too. Do we really need to spend money to make 32bit systems along side of 64bit systems simply because a certain subset of systems "don't need" the advantages? – Kevin Peno – 2011-05-04T16:41:48.667
I've accepted this answer because I think that preparing the market for the next version of Windows which could be 64 bit only seems more likely than just reducing the number of OS variants or the increased demands of users on desktop replacements. – Martin – 2011-05-06T12:57:45.277
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quite simply, laptops have started having enough ram that it matters, and more importantly, drivers for 64 bit systems have matured to the point where its viable.
Even where there's models with less than 4gb of ram, using 64 bit means they only need to support half as many variants of the OS , and can offer upgrades to available ram with less hassle.
It really breaks down to market forces more than anything else
Journeyman Geek
Posted 2011-05-04T11:54:30.623
Reputation: 119 122
+1 Good point on teh drivers. Big issue for older 64 Bot OSs – Dave M – 2011-05-04T13:13:59.913
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Since their processors are 64 bit... why not using the right OS (64 bit)? There are many advantages of using 64 bit OS in certain conditions and most of the new laptops will comply in a very near future (or be upgraded for some older ones) while there are no advantages of using 32 bit OS so I would find strange a 64 bit machine to come with a 32 bit OS. This was done in the past because there were a lot of incompatible software and drivers for 64bit.
Anyways, is there any advantage of using a 32bit OS on a 64bit machine today?
laurent
Posted 2011-05-04T11:54:30.623
Reputation: 4 166
before windows 7, drivers. and i suppose 16 bit support, in a VERY few cases. – Journeyman Geek – 2011-05-04T13:29:03.077
Exactly, so, today as new machines are coming with win7, only 16 bit support... which is not big and should be upgraded anyways – laurent – 2011-05-04T13:39:28.140
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Laptop computers began outselling desktop computers a few years ago so many people use them as their main work machine, sometimes hooked up to a docking station or at least a big monitor.
These people are professionals and want the latest. 64-bit OSes have now been around for years and are no longer bleeding edge. Even netbook CPUs are 64-bit now. So it looks like the manufacturers and Microsoft have decided that 64-bit is the future as of now.
hippietrail
Posted 2011-05-04T11:54:30.623
Reputation: 3 699
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Possible duplicates or related material: http://superuser.com/questions/4526/should-i-install-64-bit-versions-of-operating-systems - http://superuser.com/questions/10370/what-is-the-difference-between-64-bit-and-32-bit-operating-systems - http://superuser.com/questions/56540/32-bit-vs-64-bit-systems - http://superuser.com/questions/9112/other-benefits-of-64-bit-os-apart-from-memory-expansion
– slhck – 2011-05-04T11:57:25.863Thanks for those links, I've read them but I don't consider them duplicates because they mainly consider the advantages of more RAM and bigger address spaces per process, both of which seem moot on a laptop. – Martin – 2011-05-04T12:02:11.453
2@Martin Basically everything that applies to desktops applies to laptops too. For example,the most famous point: address space. My 4 year old laptop has 4 GiB of RAM. Today laptops come standard with 4 GiB memories and can be easily upgraded to 8 GiB. That's a big plus factor for 64bit systems. – AndrejaKo – 2011-05-04T12:04:47.263
2It's a compatibility issue. A lawnmower really doesn't need high octane fuel but it would be a pain for gas stations to carry a lower grade product just for them. It doesn't matter if your laptop doesn't need 64 bit so long as it can run software targeted at better systems. – Blomkvist – 2011-05-04T12:05:39.687
1I know, I just put it there to let others decide :) But is there really such a difference between laptops and desktops? I mean, you can buy a desktop with an i3 and 2GB RAM and a laptop with an i7 and 8GB RAM. – slhck – 2011-05-04T12:06:17.450
@slhck Ok, we are part way there if 8GB RAM in laptops is getting common. Then I can see that they could be used for heavy computing tasks. But I thought I saw lower cost "consumer grade" laptops with 64 bit, that don't come with 4 GB RAM althought they might support it in the limit. – Martin – 2011-05-04T12:12:10.647