What does 64-bit mean for the future?

[notebooknewbie]

I was just curious about this new "64-bit revolution" I've been hearing about lately. When more and more apps come out later next year (as expected) using 64-bit technology, does that mean our current computers become obsolete? In addition, how gradual is the change expected to be from 32-bit to 64-bit? Some of the articles I've seen online, it seems like we're all gonna have to dump our computers in less than 2 years time...kinda scary!

[edelrc]

They will launch many PCs in a dual 64/32bit architecture in the next two years indeed. However, do not panic. It will take the whole decade at least before we see half of the market with 64bit PCs. There is not need yet and all the fuss you hear about it is mostly for servers, no PCs, no to mention laptops.

[Conmee]

I'd venture to say we'll see the same migration from 32-bit to 64-bit as we saw with 16-bit to 32-bit. The primary benefit is increased memory addressability with 64-bit, which really benefits servers and workstations at this point (think cached database tables, computation-intensive tasks, etc). Doubtful there will be any significant number of applications that will take full advantage of 64-bit for some time. I can tell you that in the automotive industry, the engineering groups are primarily interested in 64-bit Windows platforms that run Unigraphics or Catia and have the increased memory addressability. There is a definite desire to move away from UNIX (the business execs want to, the engineers don't necessarily).

Daniel.

[K. Eng]

The transition from x86-32 to x86-64 will be slower than enthusiasts would have you believe.

64-bit refers to the width of registers in the CPU (basically small, very fast internal memory locations on the CPU that the CPU uses to manipulate data and addresses). 64-bit processors can generally address more memory locations than 32-bit processors.

The biggest hinderance I can see right now to a full 64-bit transition is the lack of Windows XP for x86-64. I remember reading that Microsoft's next Windows (Longhorn) won't be out until early 2006 at the earliest. Linux folks can take advantage of x86-64 right now, though I don't know how well along driver support is.

As for day to day tasks like email, word, and browsing the web, 64-bit CPUs will have little or no impact. Games, scientific applications, and databases stand to benefit.

I was just curious about this new "64-bit revolution" I've been hearing about lately. When more and more apps come out later next year (as expected) using 64-bit technology, does that mean our current computers become obsolete? In addition, how gradual is the change expected to be from 32-bit to 64-bit? Some of the articles I've seen online, it seems like we're all gonna have to dump our computers in less than 2 years time...kinda scary!

[BillMorrow]

**SNIP**
The biggest hinderance I can see right now to a full 64-bit transition is the lack of Windows XP for x86-64. I remember reading that Microsoft's next Windows (Longhorn) won't be out until early 2006 at the earliest. Linux folks can take advantage of x86-64 right now, though I don't know how well along driver support is.
**SNIP**

from the small dribbles of info i have about the next version of XP it will require the security chip..
to what exact end, i'm not sure..
but see the link to palladium on thinkpads.com..
how current that info is remains to the reader to judge..