I need to buy a few more computers and notice that DELL is only offering VISTA operating system with its Dimension product. Do you think VISTA is inevitable like death and taxes? Also, we have choices between 32bits and 64 bits. Given I have a network with 10 terminals (I'll need to buy more CALS), should I be purchasing the 64 bits, or am I asking for trouble? Appreciate your answer on these hard hardware issues.
Roy, I went to the Dell's ultra confusing website, and I was able to configure PCs with Windows XP Pro. In fact, I was not able to find Vista Ultimate, which is the only Vista which comes with either 32 bit or 64 bit. One can make any of the other versions 64 bit by buying an upgrade disk from Microsoft for $10.00. This makes you wonder why these didn’t come with that feature anyway. Probably, because most home users don't need or know what to do with 64 bit OS. Plus, there is only so much room on a DVD.
I would be wary of going with 64 bit especially on multiple PCs since there are certain requirements to run 64 bit. Your mobo has to support it for certain things, and your processor must by 64 bit. Your programs do not have to be 64 bit, but they have to be 64 bit compatible and you may have major problems with hardware such as printers and scanners that will require 64 bit drivers.
The advantages of a 64 bit OS is not that noticeable as you would need at least 4GBs of RAM to see an improvement there. 32 bit programs can only utilize roughly 2.7 to 3.1 GBs of RAM even if the computer has 4GBs of RAM. You will see some slight improvement in performance overall but not nearly enough to be worth it. XP Pro's 64 bit OS has too many issues.
More on memory loss from 32 bit OS:
http://mistywindow.net/?p=6http://mistywindow.net/?p=8Software compatibility list:
http://www.iexbeta.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_Vista_Software_Compatibility_ListHardware compatibility list:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/hardware/default.mspxI think you would be asking for trouble. As Microsoft moves further toward 64 bit OS and all Vista versions come out with 64 bit (doubtful), the OS themselves will support many more programs and hardware devices especially since the OS will supply many more 64 bit drivers. As well as, HP and Dell and Okidata, etc. will come with 64 bit drivers.
If you can find the right machine at Dell (it appeared that Dimensions are now Inspirons), then HP has XP and you can customer build them at xTechnology.com with XP Pro as well.
Hope this helps.
