Age of 64-bit has arrived, Age of 32-bit is vanishing!

[rasmasyean]

Soon, no more 32-bit computers will ship... :(

Out of the 11 HP laptops listed as "new arrivals" at Best Buy, 9 come with 4GB of memory and 64-bit Vista. Ironically, the other two new-arrival HP systems come with "Windows Vista Business downgraded to XP Pro."

In other words, you get either XP or 64-bit Vista: 32-bit Vista is not offered standard at all in this list of new arrivals.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10076795-64.html?tag=mncol

[dukebound85]

ok how is this a bad thing?

[mkrishnan]

On the other hand, the rapid growth of Atom based computers suggests that 32 bit hardware might not be dead yet. ;)

What exactly does Windows Vista Business downgraded to XP Pro mean... does it mean that the computer comes with Vista and you can click a button or use an included install disc to downgrade, that it comes with XP installed but also includes a Vista license, or that it only comes with XP?

As for it being good or bad, I think the major problem is that MS was already beaten up for poor driver availability when Vista launched, and very few consumers really understand the difference between 32/64 bit Vista builds. I think this strategy of having two versions of the hardware that require different drivers (because your printer really needs to address six gigs of memory :rolleyes: ) may backfire on MS.

But otherwise, it is sort of a gimme, that when the base memory platform gets to 4GB, you're going to see the 64-bit version pre-installed.....

[rasmasyean]

ok how is this a bad thing?

No more usage of your favorite 5 year old printer? :p

[Stridder44]

ok how is this a bad thing?

Nah dude, didn't you know? Earth stopped spinning when we went from 16-bit to 32-bit. :rolleyes:

Afraid of progress much?

[rasmasyean]

In NewEgg’s Top Desktop Sellers List as-of the time of this writing, it also resembles the above pattern. Interestingly, there are 2 "Windows Vista Business downgraded to XP Pro" too! :)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2032280010%204802&name=Top%20Sellers

All the XP computers are under $500. LOL

[Stridder44]

In NewEgg’s Top Desktop Sellers List as-of the time of this writing, it also resembles the above pattern. Interestingly, there are 2 "Windows Vista Business downgraded to XP Pro" too! :)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2032280010%204802&name=Top%20Sellers

All the XP computers are under $500. LOL


I could probably buy Windows 98 if I really wanted to too. That doesn't make it a good idea. But whatever, keep fearing progression.