X61s: 64 vs 32 bit

[igk]

I currently have 3GB ram in my X61s running xp 32bit. I'm planning on making the change to windows 7 soon. isit worthwhile to change out a stick of RAM for a total of 4GB and run 64 bit, or just leave it as it is and run 32bit?

any other advice for installing windows 7 onto the x61s? i'll keep the original hidden parition with the xp backup/restore data on it. as well, i have my xp backed up on my WHS.

thanks

[ZaZ]

I'd say most likely no unless you've got a specific need.

[Dimitri_P]

keep it 32 bit / x86

[dr_st]

I will offer a diametrically opposite opinion. 64bit all the way.

Not because it will be useful to you now. In fact you may run into a few more problems at first.

But just because it's time to accelerate the move forward.

IMO, 32bit versions of Vista and Windows7 should never have seen the light of day. It's like moving forward and then holding yourself back.

The larger the 64bit user base, the faster all problems get sorted out and the faster applications come out taking advantage of the technology.

FWIW, I've been running Vista64 on my primary desktop for a year now, and to date only ran into two problems:
* Buggy Wifi driver from Ralink causing system hangs (gave up and purchased a different WiFi adapter)
* 64bit version of MATLAB does not have symbolic toolbox (WTF, but if I really need it, I can install the 32bit version, which works just fine)

[wap32]

I agree dr_st, today it doesn't make much sense to stick with 32bit OSs.

There was a time when installing a 64bit OS caused more problems than it was worth, specially with drivers and some picky apps.

Nowadays everything works fine, and pretty much every hardware manufacturer has 64bit drivers available.

With windows 7 specifically, I've been using the 64bit RC on my desktop since it came out and so far I've had no architecture-related problems.

[ZaZ]

Nowadays everything works fine

I'd say that has been not true in my case. I have a few pieces of software that do not work in 64 OSes. I've had 64 bit Windows on various machines of mine. I honestly can't really tell a difference. If you're happy with the performance of your machine, then why take the time to upgrade for any marginal improvements.

[wap32]

I'd say that has been not true in my case. I have a few pieces of software that do not work in 64 OSes. I've had 64 bit Windows on various machines of mine. I honestly can't really tell a difference. If you're happy with the performance of your machine, then why take the time to upgrade for any marginal improvements.

Ok, I should have said "almost everything works"

I'm sure there are programs that still today have problems running in 64bit or do not run at all.
But the fact is, with an ever-increasing need for memory, 64bit is the only way to go.

So why stick with old technology and stay limited to 3GB of RAM? Unless you need a driver or a program that really doesn't work in 64bit, there's no reason not to change.

[igk]

thanks. i'm going to dive right in and install windows 7 today. i think i'll go for 64bit.

[PiZzA EnGiNeEr]

Go for the 64 bit version. I did an install on an X61s with Ultimate x64 and everything out of the box works. At this point I wouldn't waste any time installing a 32 bit OS on a machine that can support a 64 bit version.

[asiafish]

64 bit all the way.

I have no trouble on T400 in 7 Ultimate 64, even when playing some positively ancient games like Age of Empires (1997).