Dell Latitude E6400 - Windows Vista 64bits OR 32bits ?

I am planning to buy a new laptop. After some research on this web site, which is really good, my decision is to buy a Dell Latitude E6400.

But I am very confused with the order form of Dell for this computer:

- On the US version, you don't need to precise whether you want the 64bits or 32bits version of Windows Vista Ultimate. Here is a screen shot of the form:

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- On the French version, you have to precise whether you want the 64bits or 32bits version of Windows Vista Ultimate. Here is a screen shot of the form:

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Which version of Windows Vista Ultimate should I buy ? the 64bits or the 32bits version ?
Why do I have to precise the number of bits on the French version and not on the US version ?

Thanks any help, Chris

 

If you are planning on using 4gb of ram, then go for 64 bit. If not, then stick with 32 bit.

 

^^ Yep... Nothing much to add I guess... *apart from the usual 64 or 32 discussions, that are already going on in *many* threads..* Cheers

 

64 bit can give some compatibility problems with older hardware, including printers, for which 64 bit drivers were never created.

32 bit is more backwards compatible (but Vista has more compatibility problems than XP) but the maximum RAM you can use is just over 3GB. However, that's plenty enough unless you are a power user and want 4GB now and the option to move to 8GB when you can afford the bigger modules. Somehow I feel you don't fall into the power user category since you would already know the answer.

John

 

These days 64-bit operating systems are gaining traction. One added benefit for choosing the 64-bit version is that you are future proofing yourself. Also, 64-bit Vista supports running 32-bit applications (most of them).

 

LOL... What I'm wondering is why don't they offer the 64-bit version in the U.S. I had to spend a half hour on text chat with Dell tech support in order to get it.

I disagree.

64-bit Vista just performs better on my 2 gb system. Everything is snappier. There are also a few additional security features in 64-bit, such as kernel patch protection. Plus, it lets you upgrade later to 4 gb or more without changing your OS. And it will have better forward compatibility. For example, Adobe announced that the next version of Photoshop will be 64-bit only.

My advice is, if you have a lot of need for backward-compatibility, a bunch of old hardware and software that you want to work with it, then get 32-bit. With 64-bit, you could find that some hardware peripherals aren't compatible and some old programs don't work. Even a very few current programs don't work, usually those that need low-level hardware access, like Notebook Hardware Control. But the number of such programs is small and dwindling.

So... if you want your system to run a little smoother and be a little faster and a little more secure, go for 64-bit. But if you have significant compatibility needs or if you want the best compatibility with everything without having to think about it, go for 32-bit.

Good point. 32-bit is a little better for people who don't want to worry about possibly encountering compatibility issues.

 

I failed to mention that in my post

 

Thank you all for your answers. So I will go for the 64bit version of Vista. I am already taking the more to the future with Vista, I will go directly to 64bits since I do not have so much constraints with backwards compatibility, and because according to your experience the backwards compatibility problems seems to be relatively limited.

Good question swarmer. Is the Windows Vista Ultimate version proposed by Dell.com (not Dell.fr) a 32bits or a 64bits version ??

 

Unless it specifically says 64-bit, it's 32-bit.