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64-Bit Windows Releases Now Available

Posted by timothy on from the for-high-end-malware dept.

SimplyJeff writes "Athlon 64 users rejoice! Today at WinHEC 2005 in Seattle, Microsoft announced availability of the 64-bit editions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Strangely (and possibly a sign the drivers aren't yet up to snuff), Microsoft will not sell the 64-bit releases in retail outlets. For now, only new PC buys can get Windows x64 Edition as an option. However, those who purchased Windows XP after March 31, 2003, can trade in their copy for the 64-bit version at a cost of $12 and a voided warranty. Although, x64 users will get one free support call to Microsoft." Reader bonch adds a link to CNET's review of the OS.

4 of 594 comments (clear)

  1. Re:FTFA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Unless a driver says it's certified to work with XP64, it won't load. If your hardware isn't supported by default, you have to find a 64 bit driver. (There may be a few exceptions, such as USB devices where the "driver" is really more like instructions to the OS on how to operate the device and not low level hardware interface.) If your hardware isn't supported, you can't use it until the manufacturer releases a 64bit driver. I can't use XP64 on my Asus K8V because I have SATA hard drivers and there are no 64 bit drivers for non-RAID mode.

  2. Re:Is it tru 64-bit? by Branka96 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Tiger is NOT fully 64-bit. The memory system supports 64-bit pointers. But you can't write a 64-bit GUI application. Carbon and Cocoa are not 64-bit.
    A 64-bit application has to be broken into two executables, a 32-bit GUI front-end and a 64-bit engine.

  3. Re:Uh ... by enosys · · Score: 5, Informative
    It's not beta. There was a public beta test and that is now over. The OS is finished. It's just that there are relatively few drivers and even fewer 64 bit applications.

    The OS is there for whoever needs it. Microsoft is just making sure that people don't start upgrading without understanding the limitations.

  4. actual numbers by august+sun · · Score: 5, Informative
    pretty thorough performance review with scientific, gaming, and media benchmarks:

    http://techreport.com/reviews/2005q1/64-bits/index .x?pg=1