Windows 8: 32-bit vs. 64-bit

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Windows 7's successor

The installed base of 64-bit (x64) Windows 7 has reached 46% in June 2010, vs. 54% for 32-bit (x86) Windows 7, according to statistics released by Microsoft. It is clear from the data shared by the Redmond company that end users are starting to choose x64 systems and equivalent Windows 7 editions over older x86 architectures. The software giant underlines that this is an increasing trend, and that it expects 64-bit Windows 7 to become the norm, and 32-bit Windows 7 the exception. Of course, the question now is, what will the future hold for Windows 8?

Microsoft does have a few options. It could of course continue to serve both 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows 8, just as it did with Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Or it could drop the x86 flavors of Windows 8 altogether, and produce only x64 Windows 8 SKUs. This would certainly be a bold move for the software giant, but Microsoft is sure not to come to a conclusion in this regard without carefully considering the overall impact.

Windows 8: 32-bit vs. 64-bit - It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Windows 7's successor - Softpedia

 

[Lee]

Be nice to see 64 bit be the only form, albeit can't really see it happening. With businesses and corporations still setting on 32 bit platforms along with 32 bit XP Win 8 will have to go along with the need of the customers.

 

[echrada]

I would prefer 64 and 128bit - that would be real progress.

 

[Lee]

Just don't see 128 bit until Win 9 (or whatever). They are just starting to get software and hardware companies to put forth 64 bit products.

 

[echrada]

Yes, unfortunately that is true, but I can dream can't I.

 

[Lee]

Nothing wrong with dreams. . .

 

[severedsolo]

Be nice to see 64 bit be the only form, albeit can't really see it happening. With businesses and corporations still setting on 32 bit platforms along with 32 bit XP Win 8 will have to go along with the need of the customers.

Dont forget, we are still at least 2 years away from Windows 8. I can certainly see MS giving the nudge towards 64 bit only systems by then.

 

[A Guy]

Perhaps the 32 bit will be only the lowest versions, with less features, and the premium and up will be x64. Good way to "nudge" everyone to 64 bit. A Guy

 

[Dave76]

It's time to move to 64 bit.
I've been using it for 4 years now, no issues.

Same things were said against the 16bit vs 32bit change. We survived that.

 

[Kodi]

64 bit seems the way to go with business catered for with Windows 7 with service packs.

 

[Lordbob75]

I agree that it needs to move to pure x64.

This would make it much easier on consumers who have 2 versions to choose from and don't know which to pick.
Businesses using x32 computers shouldn't upgrade to the latest and greatest new OS anyways, and if they want to, buying a whole new computer makes more sense (in this regard).

I would love to see only x64. The other great reason would be that more and more programs would be natively x64, thus increasing performance as a whole.
Even better would be multi-core support as a norm.

~Lordbob

 

[znark912]

which is faster

which is faster 64 bit or 32 bit?

 

[Lordbob75]

which is faster 64 bit or 32 bit?

Maybe this will help: 32 bit vs 64 bit Comparison - Windows 7 Forums

~Lordbob