<p>I have been looking at some laptops, and some have 64 bit OS's. Are there any compatibility issues when using a 64 bit PC? Since I am a computer science major, I was wondering if Visual Studio or any other IDEs would need special versions to work with 64 bit computers, or if there are generally few drawbacks to having a 64 bit PC.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I use Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on my desktop and Windows 7 Professional x64 on my laptop, and don’t have any compatibility issues.</p>
<p>If you have the option, definitely go 64-bit. The benefits extend far beyond just the maximum RAM capacity. For more information, you should definitely read this article:</p>
<p>[64-bit:</a> More than just the RAM | bit-tech.net](<a href=“http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/10/16/64-bit_more_than_just_the_ram/1]64-bit:”>64-bit: More than just the RAM | bit-tech.net)</p>
<p>Definitely go for 64 bit. Everyone is moving towards 64-bit.</p>
<p>There aren’t any drawbacks. Windows 7 64-bit is the same price as 32 bit. And OSX is now 64-bit. You won’t have compatibility issues. They only apply for ancient 90’s programs which you won’t use in a CS major. (exaggeration but you get my point)</p>
<p>And 64-bit allows you to use more than 3 GB of RAM memory. Better for intensive programs in the future.</p>
<p>If you need 32-bit then you can dual boot windows xp on your computer.</p>
<p>I’ve been using 64-bit Windows since around 2004. Back in those days, drivers could be hard to come by and many standard programs wouldn’t install on x64. Today, most of those problems are gone. Some issues for 64-bit Windows are drivers on older devices. Others are compatibility with industry standard products like Cisco VPN which does not and will not run on 64-bit Windows programs.</p>
<p>Developer Studio installs and runs fine in 32-bit mode. You might need the pro version to do 64-bit development. I only have VS2005 and haven’t used it in a while. The 64-bit tools are a separate installation. Visual C has a funny long model where both 32-bit and 64-bit development uses 32-bit integers. More common is the use of native word lengths for longs. It makes the initial porting process easier though.</p>
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Umm, are you serious? CS majors are among the most likely to use programs that are incompatible with 64-bit OS. </p>
<p>@OP: I would go with 64bit, but get XP so that you can run 32-bit programs. Speaking from my experience in EE, too many people use pre-2000 era programs and technology to discount it.</p>
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<p>Windows 7 can run 32-bit programs as well.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice, but I just have one more question.</p>
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<p>Is it possible to still buy XP nowadays, as I thought it was discontinued? Otherwise, I suppose I could just use Windows 7’s compatibility mode that some posters were referring to.</p>
<p>Yes, it is still possible to get XP as an OEM license. Showtime PC in NH carries them.</p>
<p>You would need to get at least Pro to get Compatibility mode I think. Also, it runs in a virtual machine which may be a consideration.</p>
<p>Yes, 7 Professional/Ultimate has a feature that is a virtual machine of XP.</p>
<p>I’m running XP myself, and honestly have no desire to upgrade.</p>
<p>@ reincarnated</p>
<p>Notice how I joked it was an exaggeration… -___-</p>