Any speed difference when running in 64Bit mode?
I don't use it by default, little snitch and my logitech mouse don't work with LLC in 64bit. They both need to be recompiled to 64bit to get working in 64bit kernel.
When I did use it for a couple of hours, I did not notice any difference at all. It is not that noticeable for typical user. Granted, I don't use 64bit apps.
Um, no they haven't beyond new models.
EFI is part of it - just like the extensions. Both are important. I'm trying not to break my NDA - only telling you what you can figure out for yourself based on public knowledge.
And the goals are not for all 64-bit capable computers to run 64-bit kernel. Apple was very clear that a 64-bit processor is only one requirement for running 64-bit kernels.
Yes they have. I'm not talking out of some rumors. This is based on several reports including mine that was able to get 64bit kernel running in build 10a394 but not any build before. Several people have stated they were able to get their mac running in 64bit kernel mode in build 10a401 with several mac 2009 models and so on.
When I'm talking about adding models, I'm talking about them recompiling extensions to 64bit, each seed came with more complete 64bit extensions that was enough to get some models to start booting pure 64 bit kernel. Last few months of development, there were a large mix of 32bit/64bit extensions, now it is close to nearly all of them being 64bit.
As for your goal comment, that could be true but the point was that Apple's Sept date isn't a real release date, it is just a goal to get it released in that time frame. Apple isn't immune to delays and so on.
There is an easier way of booting to the 64-bit kernel than editing the plist file. Just hold the "6" and the "4" keys together when booting after the chime sound. You can check your kernel in the Activity Monitor.
That does not work all the time. It doesn't work for my early 08 MBP model, the only way for me to get it to work is to add arch=x86_64 to the boot.plist.
It didn't work under the previous builds. I tried it on 10A380, 10A402a, 10A411, all of them failed when I tried to force into 64-bit mode
If adding arch=x86_64 to boot.plist don't work, it is possible you have an extension that hasn't been recompiled to 64bit and won't allow the OS to boot 64bit kernel due to that fact. 64bit kernel will not boot without all extensions being 64bit, no exception.