<p>Many colleges recommend Vista Business. When configuring a new laptop, should one choose Vista Business 32 bit or Vista Business 64 bit? Which will bring less problems to the average user?</p>
<p>How much memory will be in your laptop?</p>
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32 bit. Not all upgrades have 64 bit drivers. Also, some 16/32 bit programs have problems running on 64 bit.</p>
<p>I use and heartily recommend Vista Business x64. You definitely don’t want Vista Business 32 if you plan on having more than 3GB of RAM.</p>
<p>Lenovo provided every driver I needed on their website. If you’re getting it preinstalled, you shouldn’t have any problems; after all, they’re doing the work, not you.</p>
<p>Any program with 16-bit code in it won’t run on a 64-bit operating system. But, that’s almost irrelevant because programs with 16-bit code are quite old. 64-bit versions of Windows have WOW64 which allows you to run 32-bit programs seamlessly.</p>
<p>Any program with a 16-bit installer won’t even install on a 64-bit OS.</p>
<p>Cisco VPN isn’t supported on Windows 64-bit systems which is a major pain for me as I have to use that to get into work. Their stated workaround is to use a virtual machine to get into VPN if you have a 64-bit OS. I use a Mac where 32-bit and 64-bit applications coexist without driver problems.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I’d love to hear some more opinions on this issue. The configured laptop that I’m thinking about purchasing as a gift for someone is:</p>
<p>lenovo–Vista Business (possible 64 bit), 4 GB, Intel core 2 duo 2.4 gh, 320 HD, Discrete Graphics, bluetooth, LED screen w/camera.</p>
<p>The other option is a pre-configured Toshiba with Vista Home Premium 64. Much cheaper but the person that I’m buying this for probably will like the conservative business look of the Lenovo. He also isn’t a computer whiz and I’m guessing that the Lenovo might have fewer issues. Yes, this is a guess on my part. I could be totally wrong on this. </p>
<p>Younger son advises me to go with the Vista Business 64 and 4 gigs of RAM. </p>
<p>Seeing that most computers purchased now through stores like Best Buy are sold with 64 bit Vista, shouldn’t everything in the very near future be compatible with it? </p>
<p>I use a Mac. Just turn it on and it works. Easy.</p>
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[QUOTE=nysmile]
I use a Mac. Just turn it on and it works. Easy.
[/quote]
Funny, my extensive experience with Macs has involved many kernel panics and spinning beach balls of doom. They make the kernel panic screen all shiny, so that even then, you can’t slip out of the RDF ;)</p>
<p>Anyway, don’t buy the RAM with the laptop, it’s a waste of money. Better to upgrade it after-market (takes ~10 minutes and a flathead screwdriver).</p>
<p>The 32-bit Vista won’t be able to use all 4 GB of RAM you are planning on installing, but it should be able to use 3-point-something. On the other hand, 64-bit Vista comes with the problems described above, so it’s your choice.</p>