When buying a Microsoft Windows 7 Computer do you need 64-bit or 32-bit?

Windows 7 - 64 Bit

If the time has come to replace or upgrade your aging desktop or laptop computer, you may find yourself looking at offerings from the major manufacturers and wondering if you need to get a 32 bit or 64 bit system now that the price difference is no longer a factor.

At first it seems that a 64 bit computer would be a no-brainer! I mean, it’s “32” MORE and more is better, right?

Absolutely, a 64 bit machine can address more memory for one thing. Your old 32 bit system has a limitation of 4GB, and Windows 7 on a 64 bit machine will support up to 192GB. Actually, 64 bit machines can address 16 exabytes in theory. Also, a 64 bit system can run more applications at once and take advantage of software such as Microsoft Office 2010 specifically tailored to the 64 bit PC.

Graphics, databases, complex calculations can all benefit from the increased performance.

Servers have used 64 bit Operating Systems for years, why not your desktop?

According to Gartner Inc. research, 75 percent of all business computers will be running 64 bit Windows by 2014…  But moving from a 32 bit environment to a 64 bit Microsoft Windows 7 machine could introduce some new issues for you. A number of older printers, plotters, scanners and other devices have no support for 64 bit. Some copiers which offer printing from your PC also may not function.

Do you have a specific PCI card that you use, such as a SCSI interface for scanning or external storage? You could find it is incompatible and need to replace that too.

Your computer service professional should be able to assist you in determining if a move to 64 bit is right for you. If you require assistance with this in Greenville or Upstate, SC, please call us at 864.990.4748 or email info@homelandsecureit.com

We offer wide selection of business computers from our partner manufacturers HP, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, Seneca Data / NexLink and more!