Xaos said:
I am preparing for my next computer, and am considering a 64-bit version
for the increase speed and capabilities of handling more RAM.
Are there any disadvantages or side effects of having a 64-bit system? Can
I run everything and do everything I can do on a 32-bit system?
Thanks
Chaz
You may find that you will have to upgrade peripheral equipment such as
scanners, printer etc because of incompatibilities. This also applies to
software. There is a compatibility test available from Microsoft that will
give you a good idea of what you are in for.
A lot of new software still insists on running in 32 bit mode but the 64 bit
OS will accommodate that.
Eventually 64 bit will take over from 32 bit and even further down the road
128 or 256 bit will take over. This is just the natural evolution of
computing and there is always a bit of pain in trying to keep more or less
current.
If you put off updating too long (like I did) then you are faced with
replacing everything at once and learning how everything works right from
"square one."
I am running Vista Home Premium 64 with 8 gigs of ram on a quad core machine
and I would never go back to a 32 bit machine or 32 bit OS.