HP Pavillion 64 Bit

[Ted]

My new computer with Vista seems great but the 64 bit system is causing concerns. Shaw's internet security against viruses is not compatible with 64 bits only 32 bits. My CD Stomper program for labelling discs cannot upgrade for 64 bits. I was told by a freind that the movement towards 64 bits for home users is very slow because most home users do not require that huge storage capacity. Best Buy has a 30 day return policy for open box items of the same purchase. Should I return it for a 32 bit system? Any responses would be appreciated. Thank you.
Regards,
Ted Wilson
Vancouver, Canada

 

[PigsDad]

I assume that your system had over 4GB of memory, since they loaded the 64-bit version of Vista on it, correct? If you go with a 32-bit OS, you will be limited to 4GB (actually a bit less).

I am in the same situation as you -- as a matter of fact, we may have gotten the same system (HP 9340? It was a heck of a deal. ) I have run into a couple older programs that don't work or don't have a 64-bit upgrade path, but in general most of my 32-bit software works just fine. And w/ the 6GB on the system, the performance is fantastic.

Bottom line: what do you value more, more memory or the ability to run some of your older programs. Since I use the system for photo and video editing, I make good use of the additional memory.

Kurt

 

[Ted]

Thank you for your helpful response. More memory and speed are more important. I'll use Lightscribe for labelling discs and although the discs are more expensive I'll save money on colored ink that I would have used working with CD Stomper. I needed your input. Mine is HP a6502f.
Regards,
Ted

 

[PigsDad]

One more note: the HP I have (and I assume yours as well) came with a disc labeling program that will do both LightScribe as well as printed labels. You might want to see if that will work for what you want to do.

Kurt

 

[Ted]

Yes it is with Lightscribe but what about the printed labels? Thank you.

 

[mlbyron]

we also purchase the HP pavillion. I think the 9340.
the biggest problem for us is with older Autocad LT.
it looks like only 2008 is usable with 64bit. I have looked for a "work around" unsucessfully. we also have wondered if we made the right decission to buy the latest & greatest.
mary byron

 

[Bonnie_Raitt]

I would say purchasing a 64 bit PC is overkill for the average consumer and will cause you continuing headaches due to compatibility with software. A good graphics card and 4 Gigs of RAM in a 32 bit PC will run Vista and your apps just fine.

Just my opinion. I am a recently retired PC support guy.

BR

 

[nightnurse613]

We had the choice to go 64 or 32 bit. Went with 32 bit. 64 seems to read everything as a virus. My husband said that there were too many of my favorite applications that 64 bit couldn't handle. I forget exactly what he said but it was like the 64 bit required updated drivers and the 32 bit didn't. Despite what some people have said, I have VISTA PREMIUM on my laptop and it's worked fine for me.

 

[PigsDad]

Realistically, the only time you run into the driver issue w/ a 64-bit OS is when you are upgrading an older computer. That is because the manufactures are less likely to support their older peripherals on the newer OS. Any new computer that comes w/ a 64-bit OS will have peripherals that have the proper drivers.

I would also agree that the average computer user, today, does not need a 64-bit OS. It does not make things run faster or anything like that. However, if you have a need for more that 4GB of memory for large video, photo, CAD, etc. projects, then there is no other way to utilize that memory other than a 64-bit OS.

Kurt