[Ham-Computers] Vista Home Premium 32 bit vs. 64 bit?

[Philip (KO6BB)]

Thank you Aaron,

If x64 doesn't support 16bit programs, it probably wouldn't run my old DOS 
logging program (Log-eqf) that I use for beacon logging only (I'd modified 
the "look-up tables" of that program to NOT enter the country based on 
callsign).  One of the pleasant surprises I had on the Vista laptop (my 
backup machine) was that the DOS program WOULD run on it!  For regular ham 
use I use Win-EQF, the windows version.  Yes, I could switch to a windows 
logging program for beacons, but actually the DOS program seems to be far 
more useful for that task (quick, easy and compact).

Maybe I'll wait and take a look at Windows 7 when it is released.

73 de Phil

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)" <aaron.hsu at nbcuni.com>

> Hi Philip (et al),
>
> Yes, the 64-bit editions (x64) of Windows do seem "snappier" than the 
> 32-bit editions.  The standard 32-bit apps really don't run that much 
> faster (and some may even run slower on Windows x64), but the underlying 
> 64-bit kernel is able to do things a bit faster (such as I/O read/writes) 
> making the overall experience seem faster.  64-bit apps will generally run 
> faster, but there aren't many of these and they're usually pretty 
> specialized.
>
>>From a legal standpoint, you may or may not be able to "switch" from 
>>32-bit to 64-bit - you'll need to read your Windows EULA to be sure.
>
> There are actually more disadvantages to running 64-bit "desktop" editions 
> of Windows than the advantages.  The primary advantages of 64-bit Windows 
> are:
>
> * Support for >4GB memory space
> * "Snappier" performance
> * (Slightly) more protected kernel
>
> Disadvantages:
>
> * Requires 64-bit device drivers for all hardware devices (no 32-bit 
> driver support)
> * All device drivers *must* be signed
> * Some 32-bit apps won't work properly in Windows x64
> * No 16-bit compatibility layer - 16-bit apps will not run in Windows x64
>
> In general, unless you have an absolute need for Windows x64 (e.g. have a 
> 64-bit app), it's best for now to stick with the standard 32-bit editions.
>
> Just my $0.02.
>
>
> 73,
>
>  - Aaron, NN6O