Which version of Vista for Bootcamp? (32 or 64bit?)

[captan]

My school has a MSDNAA account which means I get a copy for free but I'm not sure which one I should pick for Bootcamp.

My options:

1. Vista Business 5CD
2. Vista Business DVD
3. Vista Business DVD 64bit

[EricNau]

What mac do you have?

[Nermal]

Apple only supports the 32-bit version, presumably only on DVD.

[captan]

SR MBP 15' 2.4Ghz

[gnasher729]

Originally Posted by captan

My school has a MSDNAA account which means I get a copy for free but I'm not sure which one I should pick for Bootcamp.

My options:

1. Vista Business 5CD
2. Vista Business DVD
3. Vista Business DVD 64bit

Preferably Windows XP. It is much more stable, much faster, less useless eye-candy.

[EricNau]

Originally Posted by Nermal

Apple only supports the 32-bit version, presumably only on DVD.

Where does it say that?

This was the only thing I could find (under "What you'll need"), but it doesn't mention bit support either way.

A bona fide full version of Microsoft Windows: XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2, WIndows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate. (No upgrade or multi-disc versions).

EDIT: I just found it. On the download page they elaborate a bit more:

A bona fide full, 32-bit, single-disc version of Microsoft Windows: Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2, Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2, WIndows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, or Windows Vista Ultimate.

...They really need to put that on the first page.

[Nermal]

In the PDF they even go a step further and say something to the effect of "do not use a 64-bit version".

[captan]

thanx for the help guys.

[stuff99]

what is the difference between the 32 and 64 bit versions?

[Tangerine]

Originally Posted by stuff99

what is the difference between the 32 and 64 bit versions?

32Bits are more stable as for Drivers and most Hardware support it. You won't have a problem with drivers with the 32Bits version. 64Bits are for computer with a 64Bits Processor, it will render 3D and play game faster that support multi-core 64Bits format. 64Bits are also backward compatibility, you can play 32Bits game on a 64Bits OS, where you cannot play a 64Bits game on a 32Bits OS. 64Bits are the fatal failures of Operating System, there is very little Hardware that won't support 64Bits, not just Hardware, but some software doesn't support it, iTunes as an example won't support 64Bits, as well as Bootcamp only support 32Bits as well.

Go for 64Bits only if you are sure all your hardwares support it, the gain boost in games and 3d render will be dramatically different.

[LMO]

Originally Posted by Tangerine

Go for 64Bits only if you are sure all your hardwares support it, the gain boost in games and 3d render will be dramatically different.

Most of the heavy lifting for 3D rendering is offloaded to the graphics processor, so the floating point advantage that 64 bit has may not have much of an impact. Games that do a lot of physics calculations may see some gain.

For non-floating point operations, the 64 bit and 32 bit versions have essentially the same performance.

[Tangerine]

Originally Posted by LMO

Most of the heavy lifting for 3D rendering is offloaded to the graphics processor, so the floating point advantage that 64 bit has may not have much of an impact. Games that do a lot of physics calculations may see some gain.

For non-floating point operations, the 64 bit and 32 bit versions have essentially the same performance.

There is numerous test that show 64 bit version of Vista render 3D a lot faster then 32 bit. If a program is using 64 bit, you will see the different. You don't see much different with Adobe Photoshop CS3 because there is still no 64 bit version. Even Adobe Photoshop CS3 is a 32 bit program, there been report that Adobe Photoshop CS3 run faster on 64 bit version of OS. In conclusion, if program and games are 64 bit, you will notice the speed gain.

[lightsout]

Vista 64-bit also supports some enhanced security stuff....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Securit...cific_features

I've got a Macbook Pro and I'm going to dual boot it with Vista Ultimate (I got it at the Microsoft store so it was cheap!). Has anyone tried 64-bit? Sure, I will be missing some Apple drivers, but as long as most stuff works then I won't worry. Has anyone tried it?

I'm going to give Bitlocker a try either way!

[mathwhiz90601]

Originally Posted by gnasher729

Preferably Windows XP. It is much more stable, much faster, less useless eye-candy.

Useless eye-candy.... like comparing Mac os X with my Mac os 9 computer

[bigandy]

Originally Posted by lightsout

I've got a Macbook Pro and I'm going to dual boot it with Vista Ultimate (I got it at the Microsoft store so it was cheap!). Has anyone tried 64-bit? Sure, I will be missing some Apple drivers, but as long as most stuff works then I won't worry. Has anyone tried it?

What's the point? You're not going to notice any difference between the versions, apart from having potential trouble with drivers.

Vista = enough trouble
Vista 64bit = more trouble than it's worth

[lightsout]

As it is Windows, I would like the extra security 64-bit has. I've tried, but I think until Apple produce drivers it can't be done easily.