Windows 7/ Windows 7 64 bit

jackieblack

I've been looking at various laptops, some state OS is windows 7, others windows 7 64-bit.

What is the difference?
Is one 'better' than the other?
Would one be recommended over the other?

LT will be for my daughter, who is about to start GCSEs, I'm looking for something that will hopefully last her through GCSEs + A levels/equivalent.
LT will be used for photo & video editing as well as all the normal things Word processing, music, email/browsing etc.

penrhyn

Sounds good doesn't it, for most mundane applications a 64 bit operating system will may little if any difference in performance.
That said most new systems are 64 bit these days.

Lokolo

64bit is better than 32bit, but theres no need to have 64bit unless you know you need it.

Hammyman

OK, seeing as nobody has actually answered the question, I will.

The difference between 32bit and 64 bit versions of Windows is basically the following:

Windows 64 bit can address more than 4GB of memory. If you've the 32bit version of Windows and have 4GB in, you'll only be able to use 2.5-3.5GB of that as the 4GB limit for Windows 32bit is inclusive of memory in hardware so for example, the 512MB your graphics card may have would be deducted.

Windows 64bit means you can use 64bit versions of programs - such as Adobe Photoshop - that allows them to use more than 4GB of RAM which is handy if, like the missus, you regularly work with large graphics files several GB in size.

Windows 64bit also requires "digitally signed" device drivers. This should mean there are less problems with flakey drivers but does mean that some devices don't have drivers available for the 64bit version however Windows 7 64bit can utilise 32bit drivers.

Performance wise, other than the advantages provided by being able to access lots of RAM, they're on a par.

KingElvis

Also depends on the CPU, if the laptop you buy is secondhand and is vintage, then 64bit is as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Most modern laptops are dual core or the AMD equiv so a new one wouldn't be a problem.

To be honest, for what you need the difference doesn't really matter.

jackieblack

Hammyman wrote: »

OK, seeing as nobody has actually answered the question, I will.

The difference between 32bit and 64 bit versions of Windows is basically the following:

Windows 64 bit can address more than 4GB of memory. If you've the 32bit version of Windows and have 4GB in, you'll only be able to use 2.5-3.5GB of that as the 4GB limit for Windows 32bit is inclusive of memory in hardware so for example, the 512MB your graphics card may have would be deducted.

Windows 64bit means you can use 64bit versions of programs - such as Adobe Photoshop - that allows them to use more than 4GB of RAM which is handy if, like the missus, you regularly work with large graphics files several GB in size.

Windows 64bit also requires "digitally signed" device drivers. This should mean there are less problems with flakey drivers but does mean that some devices don't have drivers available for the 64bit version however Windows 7 64bit can utilise 32bit drivers.

Performance wise, other than the advantages provided by being able to access lots of RAM, they're on a par.

Thank you, you've explained it perfectly.

I'm thinking if I go for the 64-bit version this might be better for my DD in the long run, she's interested in graphic design so I'm assuming there'll be all sorts of clever software she'll want to be able to use later on.

Lokolo

jackieblack wrote: »

Thank you, you've explained it perfectly.

I'm thinking if I go for the 64-bit version this might be better for my DD in the long run, she's interested in graphic design so I'm assuming there'll be all sorts of clever software she'll want to be able to use later on.

It won't change the software, all software will be available on 32, most on 64. It just means it can use more memory in the actual software.

For example

Photoshop 32bit can use 3GB of memory max.
Photoshop 64bit can use anything upto, and more than 3GB of memory.

If the laptop has less than 4GB then theres no point in getting 64bit Windows 7, as it won't utilise this anyway.

jackieblack

Lokolo wrote: »

It won't change the software, all software will be available on 32, most on 64. It just means it can use more memory in the actual software.

For example

Photoshop 32bit can use 3GB of memory max.
Photoshop 64bit can use anything upto, and more than 3GB of memory.

If the laptop has less than 4GB then theres no point in getting 64bit Windows 7, as it won't utilise this anyway.

Thanks, I think I understand what you're saying, I'm just thinking having the 64-bit version would maybe expand DD options later, eg if she needs to use more sophisticated 64-bit software requiring more than 3GB RAM, she could jsut upgrade the RAM rather than maybe having to buy a better laptop?
(I'm going for the best processor I can to try 'future-proof' as much as I can for her.)

Things seem to move on so quickly, what is now considered 'minimum requiremnt' was considered 'over the top' only a few years ago!

Lokolo

jackieblack wrote: »

Thanks, I think I understand what you're saying, I'm just thinking having the 64-bit version would maybe expand DD options later, eg if she needs to use more sophisticated 64-bit software requiring more than 3GB RAM, she could jsut upgrade the RAM rather than maybe having to buy a better laptop?
(I'm going for the best processor I can to try 'future-proof' as much as I can for her.)

Things seem to move on so quickly, what is now considered 'minimum requiremnt' was considered 'over the top' only a few years ago!

Yes that's right! :cool: