Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Microsoft expected to ignite 64-bit computing
Yahoo, USA today ^ | 4/25/05 | Byron Acohido and Michelle Kessler, USA TODAY

Posted on 04/25/2005 7:47:12 AM PDT by 1FASTGLOCK45

Microsoft (MSFT) on Monday plans to make its biggest push yet to popularize 64-bit computing on everyday computers.

At a conference here, Chairman Bill Gates is expected to announce the general availability of the first desktop version of Windows to support 64-bit processing chips, which can access bigger chunks of memory and move data around faster than 32-bit chips in wide use on PCs since the 1980s.

About 2,800 hardware developers are expected here at the Microsoft-sponsored Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHec) this week to hear where Microsoft is driving the tech industry, and learn what they can do. The conference theme: Jump on the 64-bit bandwagon. To inspire developers on other fronts, Gates is to unveil:

• A postcard-sized PC - a concept device with a 6-inch screen that could theoretically operate as a full-blown computer.

• A prototype laptop with a small screen on the lid, so data can be accessed with the lid closed.

Microsoft will focus on rallying suppliers to offer 64-bit desktop PCs and software applications for the workplace and home.

Rising consumer demand for 64-bit PCs could stir sales growth for Microsoft's flagship Windows and Office products, while also boosting tech supply fortunes.

Still, software makers so far haven't been willing to take on the costly task of converting popular applications to 64-bit until there is demand. While 64-bit chips have been available from AMD and Intel, computer makers haven't moved to develop many 64-bit PCs because there was no desktop operating system to run them.

Gates is to announce that the first 64-bit Windows desktop operating system, Windows XP Pro, is available. It is expected to be on home versions by 2007, when the next version of Windows, code-named Longhorn, is ready.

Microsoft will talk of engineers and animators doing richer work in real time on 64-bit workstations. It foresees consumers playing fancier video games and editing video, photo and music files like pros.

Neil Charney, Windows director of product management, predicts that 64-bit desktop PCs shouldn't cost more than a 32-bit machine.

Microsoft's push alone won't conjure a market. "I'm not sure doing e-mail and browsing the Web is going to be that much better an experience on a 64-bit systems," says Michael Cherry, tech systems analyst at research firm Directions on Microsoft. The key, he says, may be how Dell and H-P come through with aggressively priced 64-bit Windows desktop PCs.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; Technical
KEYWORDS: 64bit; computers; computing; microsoft
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-64 next last
There was a thread a while back, mentioning this precise thing. A pc running @64bits (amd's new chips) don't run as efficient or well because the software wasn't designed yet. Some KNOW IT ALL on Freerepublic told me otherwise, insisting they were right. Well, here it is, Read the article, you KNOW it All, and KISS MY AZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This post is dedicated to you "Know it alls". -1fastglock45
1 posted on 04/25/2005 7:47:26 AM PDT by 1FASTGLOCK45
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: 1FASTGLOCK45

What?


2 posted on 04/25/2005 7:49:06 AM PDT by general_re ("Frantic orthodoxy is never rooted in faith, but in doubt." - Reinhold Niebuhr)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 1FASTGLOCK45
I have a 64 bit processor and a beta 64 bit OS but not software.

So I still use the 32 bit stuff.

3 posted on 04/25/2005 7:51:48 AM PDT by dts32041 (Two words that shouldn't be used in the same sentence Grizzly bear and violate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: general_re

Here is the deal :

"first desktop version of Windows to support 64-bit processing chips, which can access bigger chunks of memory and move data around faster than 32-bit chips in wide use on PCs since the 1980s."

--in English: A 64 bit AMD chip running version of 32bit windows is not fully taking advantage of the 64Bits. This is why microsoft is rewriting Windows to take advantage of the new AMD 64 bit chips.
Some people were under the impression that just because you have a 64bit processor running regular old windows, you were getting full performance.


4 posted on 04/25/2005 7:52:36 AM PDT by 1FASTGLOCK45 (FreeRepublic: More fun than watching Dem'Rats drown like Turkeys in the rain! ! !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: 1FASTGLOCK45
64 bit machines can address 18 million tera-words, or 147 million terabytes.

(steely)

5 posted on 04/25/2005 7:52:57 AM PDT by Steely Tom (Fortunately, the Bill of Rights doesn't include the word 'is'.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 1FASTGLOCK45
the first 64-bit Windows desktop operating system, Windows XP Pro

What a load of crap.

6 posted on 04/25/2005 7:53:30 AM PDT by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Izzy Dunne

Izzy Dunne wrote:
the first 64-bit Windows desktop operating system, Windows XP Pro

What a load of crap.

Yea must be a screw up by the editorial. Our trusty news.


7 posted on 04/25/2005 7:55:19 AM PDT by 1FASTGLOCK45 (FreeRepublic: More fun than watching Dem'Rats drown like Turkeys in the rain! ! !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: 1FASTGLOCK45

What does "full performance" mean? 64-bit Office is not inherently faster than 32-bit Office, all else being equal.


8 posted on 04/25/2005 7:55:41 AM PDT by general_re ("Frantic orthodoxy is never rooted in faith, but in doubt." - Reinhold Niebuhr)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: 1FASTGLOCK45
Microsoft is actually the LAST mainstream provider of operating systems to hit 64bits.

Apple's 10.3 had some 64-bitness and Tiger has more of the system running in 64bit mode.

Sun's Solaris OS has been 64bit for many years and runs in 64bit mode on Opterons.

Linux has been 64bit for many years and runs in 64bit mode on Opterons as well.

9 posted on 04/25/2005 7:56:23 AM PDT by ikka
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 1FASTGLOCK45

On second thought, they might phaze out the Current Win XP Pro (32bit)and the new 64bit will retain the current name (win Xp Pro).


10 posted on 04/25/2005 7:56:35 AM PDT by 1FASTGLOCK45 (FreeRepublic: More fun than watching Dem'Rats drown like Turkeys in the rain! ! !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: general_re

general_re wrote:

What does "full performance" mean? 64-bit Office is not inherently faster than 32-bit Office, all else being equal.

--Here is what they say: "64-bit processing chips, which can access bigger chunks of memory and move data around faster than 32-bit chips"


11 posted on 04/25/2005 7:58:13 AM PDT by 1FASTGLOCK45 (FreeRepublic: More fun than watching Dem'Rats drown like Turkeys in the rain! ! !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Izzy Dunne
Do you bother reading the whole article or do you just see MS and immediately say it's crap?

Well Since you don't want to educate yourself and this will inevitably turn into a MAC vs MS waste of FR server space I'll help you out a bit.

They are announcing the 64 bit version of XP at the conference, but it's not out yet.
12 posted on 04/25/2005 7:58:42 AM PDT by tfecw (Vote Democrat, It's easier than working)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: ikka
Microsoft is actually the LAST mainstream provider of operating systems to hit 64bits.

Not really - they had 64-bit versions of XP back in 2001.

13 posted on 04/25/2005 7:58:53 AM PDT by general_re ("Frantic orthodoxy is never rooted in faith, but in doubt." - Reinhold Niebuhr)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: general_re

It means Word documents can get even bigger. ;)


14 posted on 04/25/2005 7:59:08 AM PDT by Liberal Classic (No better friend, no worse enemy. Semper Fi.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: 1FASTGLOCK45
On second thought, they might phaze out the Current Win XP Pro (32bit)and the new 64bit will retain the current name (win Xp Pro).

"Hi, support? Yeah, I'm having trouble with my OS."
"What Operating System are you running?"
"Win XP Pro."
"Would that be Win XP Pro? or Win XP Pro?"

15 posted on 04/25/2005 8:01:43 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (The fourth estate is a fifth column.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: tfecw
They are announcing the 64 bit version of XP at the conference, but it's not out yet.

Hmmm. Thanks for your "help".
Maybe you can also explain why they said:
the first 64-bit Windows desktop operating system, Windows XP Pro, is available.

16 posted on 04/25/2005 8:01:57 AM PDT by Izzy Dunne (Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: dts32041
Still, software makers so far haven't been willing to take on the costly task of converting popular applications to 64-bit until there is demand. While 64-bit chips have been available from AMD and Intel, computer makers haven't moved to develop many 64-bit PCs because there was no desktop operating system to run them.

This is going to be news to the folks, like a friend of mine sitting in the next room, who is running an AMD 64-bit laptop with 64-bit LINUX installed and running recompiled LINUX open source applications in 64 bit mode...

Microsoft is getting further and further behind the open source community.

17 posted on 04/25/2005 8:03:26 AM PDT by AFPhys ((.Praying for President Bush, our troops, their families, and all my American neighbors..))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

ClearCase_guy wrote:
On second thought, they might phaze out the Current Win XP Pro (32bit)and the new 64bit will retain the current name (win Xp Pro).

"Hi, support? Yeah, I'm having trouble with my OS."
"What Operating System are you running?"
"Win XP Pro."
"Would that be Win XP Pro? or Win XP Pro?"

--> Well, Support, the "old" WInXPPro used to rest on your tonsils, the "new" xp Pro sits in the back of your throat!


18 posted on 04/25/2005 8:04:06 AM PDT by 1FASTGLOCK45 (FreeRepublic: More fun than watching Dem'Rats drown like Turkeys in the rain! ! !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: 1FASTGLOCK45
Yeah, but they're full of it. The only way it's faster is if your software needs to shove large ints/floats around, in which case the compiler no longer have to dumb it down. Most software that you're likely to use isn't like that. You're not going to see a boost in Office performance, for example, unless you're doing some fairly wacky stuff in Excel. The main benefit most people will see will come from the larger addressable memory space.
19 posted on 04/25/2005 8:05:38 AM PDT by general_re ("Frantic orthodoxy is never rooted in faith, but in doubt." - Reinhold Niebuhr)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: general_re

Games. Games drive much of the PC industry.


20 posted on 04/25/2005 8:07:20 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (The fourth estate is a fifth column.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-64 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson