Does anyone have any views on whether installing windows 7 ultimate 64bit (rather than installing 32 bit) is worthwhile on a laptop with 4GB RAM ? (cost of upgrade to 8GB still prohibitive)?
Cheers,
Does anyone have any views on whether installing windows 7 ultimate 64bit (rather than installing 32 bit) is worthwhile on a laptop with 4GB RAM ? (cost of upgrade to 8GB still prohibitive)?
Cheers,
Steve Thompson FRIPN
Benches - for togs who really know where their towel is.
Make sure that all your periferal equipment has 64bit drivers available. Also make sure that any older software will work under 64bit. I have a couple of scanners and my Quicken software which won't work under 64bit OS. All is not lost though as you can run a 32bit version of XP as a virtual PC within Windows 7 64bit. Ultimate even comes with the necessary XP licence and the XP image is available as a download. Make sure your laptop has the necessary BIOS option to enable support for virtualisation.
Run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. to make sure that your hardware/software is compatible before deciding. If your laptop has a 32 bit OS on at present you will need to do a clean install as there is no upgrade path from 32bit to 64bit. Your 64bit OS will use all the 4GB RAM you have installed and should be quicker than previous Windows OSs. You will be ready for when you can afford the extra RAM which will give even more performance benefits.
I've found the Windows 7 Forums to be a source of great information and help. They are not affiliated with Microsoft BTW.
Cheers, Norman
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thanks Norman.
I have already checked that my laptop is ok for 64bit - but I must admit having to do a clean install rather than an upgrade is one of the reasons I have for staying with 32bit for now.
Cheers,
Steve Thompson FRIPN
Benches - for togs who really know where their towel is.
If you are changing from XP to Win7 you have to do a clean install whatever version of Win7 you put on.
Personally, I wouldn't do an upgrade even if deciding to stay with 32bit. Much better to do a clean install and ensure that there is no cr@p left over from previous software/hardware installs. There is software available that will export your applications and import them into the new OS. I didn't bother and just 'bit the bullet' and re-installed my applications.
Cheers, Norman
www.photobox.org.uk
My Flickr
My AP Album
People who live in glass houses should undress in the dark.
I understand that with "only" 4Gb RAM 64 bit Windows 7 actually runs slower than the same computer with 32 bit Windows 7.
My version of PS Elements 6 refuses to run under the 64bit version of Windows Vista.
I went for Win 7 Pro (on my new Dell with i7 processor) as you can run many Windows XP programs in 'Windows XP Mode.' To be fair, most work and some very old programs work with slight bugs that I can work around.My version of PS Elements 6 refuses to run under the 64bit version of Windows Vista.
I have to say that the i7 processor with 6mb cache and 6mb ram on the m/board, makes my laptop fly...
..."put her into warp drive Scotty!... Aye aye Capt."
Chris
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Is that Dell laptop a recommendation in your eyes then?
Which one is it? I've been toying with a Dell with i7 or wait for a MBP when the new ones come out. My dear old Acer wont last much longer after 5 years of trouble free computing
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