Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Half of Windows 7 Machines Running 64-Bit Version

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the way-better-than-my-one-bit-idea dept.

nk497 writes "Microsoft has said that nearly half of machines running Windows 7 are using the 64-bit version, up from just 11% of PCs running Vista. The 32-bit version is limited to 4GB RAM, while the 64-bit version allows 192GB, as well as added security and virtualization capabilities. While Microsoft is pushing 64-bit as a way to gain performance in the OS, it earlier this year advised users to install the 32-bit version of Office 2010, 'because currently many common add-ins for Office will not function in the 64-bit edition.'"

1 of 401 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why 64-bit is ready now by TeknoHog · · Score: 0, Troll

    I believe Microsoft deserves some cred, along with certain hardware firms like AMD/Intel, with bringing 64 bit to the fore. Not to mention the PS3 and some Macs being of that architecture too.

    Which architecture would that be? PS3 has a 64-bit PowerPC CPU, and so did Power Macs with the G5. Does this have something to do with the 32/64-bit transition in x86?

    If you mean 64-bit architectures in general, don't forget the Alpha which was released in 1992.

    Of course, despite the bitness upgrade, the closed Microsoft world remains stuck in the x86 world. Meanwhile, others are free to choose the best/nicest platform for the job.

    --
    Escher was the first MC and Giger invented the HR department.