Buy a new copy of Windows Vista or a new computer today, and you’ll have a decision to make: Should you go for the 64-bit version of Windows Vista, or the 32-bit version?
We’ve all been using various 32-bit versions of Windows for years now, but clearly the future belongs to 64-bit computing. What do you need to know before you get a jump on destiny? Here are some answers.
Q: Why would I want to run 64-bit Windows?
A: You’ll get access to more system memory. The 32-bit versions of Windows —Vista and XP — can access a maximum of 4GB of system memory. In practice, however, some of that system memory is reserved for the operating system and other processes, so your applications end up with significantly less. It’s not uncommon for a computer with 4GB of memory installed to have only 3GB available once the operating system and other processes stake their claim to the memory.
While 3GB may have seemed like a lot of memory a few years ago, today all you need to do is run a memory-hungry photo program, load a half-dozen large files, and you could be pushing the limits of your installed memory.
The 64-bit version of Windows Vista can access much more than 4GB of RAM. Vista Ultimate, Enterprise, and Business can access 128GB of RAM. Home Premium can access 16GB, while Home Basic will max out at 8GB.
Having the ability to access more memory in your computer gives you a couple of advantages. First, you can load more applications and more files within those applications. Second, your overall computing experience should be smoother, since swapping from one application to another will hopefully take place in memory and not rely on caching data to the hard drive, which slows you down.
Q: Is the 64-bit version of Windows Vista faster than the 32-bit version?
A: Theoretically, the 64-bit version of Windows should allow your computer to process twice as much data as a 32-bit operating system in the same amount of time. In practice, though, you will not see a doubling of performance with a 64-bit operating system, in part because there are so many variables — both in hardware and software — that must be optimized for 64-bit computing.
In fact, if you run the 64-bit version of Windows with only 4GB of system memory, you may find that the computer runs a tad slower than with a 32-bit operating system due to the way computer instructions are stored in memory in 64-bit systems — essentially, they take up more space. So you should have more than 4GB of memory when running a 64-bit version of Windows. If you do, you should see a slight real-world performance improvement when running a 64-bit application.
Q: Are there any disadvantages with the 64-bit version of Windows?
A: Your primary concerns should be software compatibility and drivers. Since 64-bit operating systems are not yet used as widely as 32-bit versions, not all computer software vendors have gotten around to ensuring that their programs run properly under 64-bit Windows. Many have, though. So before you install 64-bit Windows or buy a computer with it pre-loaded, check your major software applications to ensure that they’re compatible.
You’ll also want to make sure you can use all of your peripherals — printer, scanner, Webcam — with 64-bit Windows. And that means checking with the manufacturers to see whether 64-bit versions of the appropriate driver software are available.
Q: Do I need a special computer to run 64-bit Vista?
A: No. Any computer you buy today — whether it comes with an Intel processor or one from AMD — will run 64-bit operating systems. If you have an older computer, find out which processor is in it, and check the manufacturer’s Web site to determine whether is 64-bit capable.
Q: I bought Windows Vista Home Premium, and only the 32-bit version came in the box. Do I have to pay extra for the 64-bit version?
A: No. Microsoft will ship you the 64-bit version at no charge. The rule is that you can only run one of the versions, though, not both. To get the 64-bit version after you’ve already purchased the 32-bit version, go to the “64-bit DVD” section at the bottom of this page, and follow the instructions: www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/64-bit.aspx.
In late October of 1873 the government of Japan decided against sending a military expedition to Korea to force that nation to open trade relations. Across the government supporters of the expedition resigned immediately. The spectacle of revolt by disaffected samurai began to loom over Japanese politics. In January of 1874 disaffected samurai attacked a senior minister in Tokyo. A month later, a group of pro-Korea expedition and anti-foreign elements from Saga prefecture in Kyushu revolted, driven in part by high food prices stemming from poor harvests. Their leader, according to Edward Drea’s classic Japan’s Imperial Army, was a samurai
Located down a sideroad in old Wanhua District (萬華區), Waley Art (水谷藝術) has an established reputation for curating some of the more provocative indie art exhibitions in Taipei. And this month is no exception. Beyond the innocuous facade of a shophouse, the full three stories of the gallery space (including the basement) have been taken over by photographs, installation videos and abstract images courtesy of two creatives who hail from the opposite ends of the earth, Taiwan’s Hsu Yi-ting (許懿婷) and Germany’s Benjamin Janzen. “In 2019, I had an art residency in Europe,” Hsu says. “I met Benjamin in the lobby
April 22 to April 28 The true identity of the mastermind behind the Demon Gang (魔鬼黨) was undoubtedly on the minds of countless schoolchildren in late 1958. In the days leading up to the big reveal, more than 10,000 guesses were sent to Ta Hwa Publishing Co (大華文化社) for a chance to win prizes. The smash success of the comic series Great Battle Against the Demon Gang (大戰魔鬼黨) came as a surprise to author Yeh Hung-chia (葉宏甲), who had long given up on his dream after being jailed for 10 months in 1947 over political cartoons. Protagonist
Peter Brighton was amazed when he found the giant jackfruit. He had been watching it grow on his farm in far north Queensland, and when it came time to pick it from the tree, it was so heavy it needed two people to do the job. “I was surprised when we cut it off and felt how heavy it was,” he says. “I grabbed it and my wife cut it — couldn’t do it by myself, it took two of us.” Weighing in at 45 kilograms, it is the heaviest jackfruit that Brighton has ever grown on his tropical fruit farm, located