Going to buy Windows 7 - 32 or 64 bit version?

jgallcash

I'm going to buy Windows 7 along with Office 2007 from Software4students.co.uk However I'm not if I should go for 32 or 64 bit version for my machine.

the laptop I have is a HP 550 with 500GB HDD and 4GB RAM.

Link to similar laptop here:

http://www.dealgiant.co.uk/hp-550-review-hp-widescreen-laptop-free-with-mobile-broadband/

Could anyone point me in the right direction?

gaming_guy

if your machine supports it, then 64bit.

32bit OSes can only use up to 3.25gb of 4gb ram

jgallcash

How can I find out if it's supported? the laptop is about a year old and is currently running Vista Home Premium.

gaming_guy

It looks like it is a 64bit processor.

click start > right click computer > properties. does it say 32bit or 64bit in there?

if it says 32bit, then you will have to do a clean install (which i recommend over upgrades) as upgrading from 32bit to 64bit can't be done without a clean install.

JasX

64 bit has been supported as standard for about 5 years now

With most versions when you buy the license its licensed for 32bit AND 64bit versions and you get both versions in the box, I'm not sure if odd versions like 'student' are different.

Do go for 64 bit unless you have a very very good reason not to, also do do a clean install

jgallcash

Thanks.

I think (currently at work) i'm currently running 32 bit Vista and after looking on the microsoft FAQ page can see that upgrading to 7 (64 bit) requires a clean install anyhow.

Might as well get Office 2007 for the price too!

kwikbreaks

The Win 7 I bought just after it was released came with two disks - one 64bit and the other 32bit. You only got the one licence though.

jgallcash

Actually after reading closely at the software4students website it is the upgrade version they are selling.

the chart is confusing:
http://www.software4students.co.uk/Microsoft_Windows_7_Professional_64_bit_Upgrade_Edition-details.aspx

Are they saying that this version is not appropriate for my needs?

It seems quite clear here: "This version of Windows 7 ships as an upgrade edition. It is NOT possible or permitted to perform a clean install with this product. You must have an existing valid Windows operating system on your hard disk. All editions of Windows 7 will now include the Internet Explorer 8 web browser"

WOW if this isn't an option I may have to leave it: £108 on Amazon!!

JasX

jgallcash wrote: »

Are they saying that this version is not appropriate for my needs?

Its usually not an issue with normal windows upgrade versions

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp

HOWEVER because the student version is a bit odd and you get it as a download I've heard it can be particularly restrictive. If you were getting a retail version I'd be able to 100% say you have nothing to worry about, the student version you'd need to look into it further.....

Stompa

Does installing a 64bit version of the OS on a PC with a 32bit processor offer any advantages (or disadvantages), other than being able to access more RAM?

JasX

Stompa wrote: »

Does installing a 64bit version of the OS on a PC with a 32bit processor offer any advantages (or disadvantages), other than being able to access more RAM?

Installing a 64bit OS onto PC with a 32bit processor (which will be v old as they've not made them for ages) has the somewhat significant disadvantage that the PC would not work at all.