64 bit or 32 bit Windows - Which Do You Use?

I too have a 64bit CPU in my laptop, but only run a 32bit OS due to the (apparent?) lack of driver support for 64bit.
I use my laptop primarily for entertainment and about 20% work related, so I want my webcam to work, my advanced sound system to work and a host of other standard peripherals that I have to work as well as they do in 32bit.
At the moment, that just ain’t gunnna happen!
Come on hardware manufacturers - lift your game. 64bit has been available for quite some time now and should be supported better than it is right now.

Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts. This is my understanding as well. Driver support is still lacking for 64 bit stuff.

I still use windows XP 32 because my hardware is old, but thats because I’m too cheap to upgrade.

Another angle is Software. I use a lot of older games and apps that have 16 bit installers - They do not work at all in a 64 bit environment, so I lose about half of my software base. Yeah, its old stuff, but for video games Quality beats age.

Thanks Jeff - I believe quite a few folks are in the same position as yourself.

64bit Vista isn’t any more expensive than 32bit, it’s probably just the cost of additional memory or different hardware or perhaps additional labor if you’re buying a retail pc.

I’ve had a 64bit Vista desktop for over a year now. At first I did have a few minor compatibility issues with some hardware, but those were quickly addressed. I’m sure it’s quite different with a laptop, where you have little control over what parts go in your machine. I have had issues with older software, but that’s expected when going 64.

I think Vista was made for 64bit. It runs so smooth for me. Microsoft made a huge mistake by even releasing 32bit version of Vista. They had the opportunity to tout themselves as revolutionary 64bit OS, but instead it came across more like a repainted XP. Had they only released 64bit version, that would’ve pushed all the hardware makers to be more proactive in writing 64bit drivers.

I could not care less if an OS were 2 bit instruction set or 64 bit ,,, Really ,,, I’m so sick and tired of having to wait for a system that can address ALL my RAM, utilize however many cores my system has, and do so with whatever app I’m using…

Sorry to rant, am I asking for too much??

Hello Joe,
I don’t believe you are asking for to much. I fee the same way.
Regards, Ron

My view and in many others its all about supporting the software’s and drivers which 32bit does and 64 bit bit lacks in that’s the only thing that slows 64 bit to progress