I am looking for a new laptop on which to run CS3. The OS will be Windows Vista Home Premium. Should I get the 32 or 64 bit version? What are the real differences? Thanks
A few scattered thoughts as I hurry off to a meeting, but maybe they’ll help some…
I don’t recall, but is it only Vista Ultimate that comes with both the 32- and 64-bit installations? If so, that’s at least one point in favor of Ultimate. If you’re buying a laptop with the O/S preinstalled, perhaps OEM versions of Vista are limited to whichever version you specify, if even a choice is given. Personally, I had minor issues with the 32-bit version that the 64-bit hasn’t demonstrated, but while unlikely, the problems may also have been that I was using an exploited version of the O/S at the time. 32-bit favors higher compability while I’d say 64-bit favors higher stability…you just have to weigh your options. With a laptop where hardware is tightly controlled, compatibility is perhaps even less an issue. 64-bit seems to show higher CPU loading, which surprised me in a way, yet that may also be indicative of it wringing more performance out of the system…really not sure about that.
I was fortunate to get a ‘loss leader’ full retail Ultimate for $249 and another retail Ulitmate upgrade for the wife with SP1 for $199. Cool and legit!
Yeah ID, with MS finally dropping the price on Vista to more reasonable levels, I finally made the jump to Ultimate when I found I could buy the upgrade through my employee discount program for $138…best price I’ve seen yet for the upgrade and very worthwhile.
(and because i can’t get 64 bit drivers for my kodak 1400 pro dye sub – bastards!)
it’s almost time for a format anyway, maybe i’ll add it as a dual boot option. in fact, i probably will (just don’t hold your breath waiting for me to get around to it! ;))