Windows 32 bits vs 64 bits
- Published December 10th, 2007 in Rant
I just realized upon talking to an IT technician that if you buy Windows (let’s say Vista) 32 bits because your particular hardware doesn’t have the necessary drivers and you want to update it in the future to 64 bits you’ll have to cash out an extra license for the x64 bits version!
For instance, imagine you bought Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bits (which is far from being the most expensive version of Windows Vista). It cost you $218.99 on Amazon.com. Now that your hardware manufacturer finally supports your fancy hardware in Windows 64 bits, you want to upgrade to it. You need to cash out some extra $199.99 for the OEM x64 version of Vista Home Premium. A hell of a deal. For Microsoft.
Compare this to Linux or Mac OS X. Linux is free in the first place — you just need to go to your favorite distribution website and download the appropriate version. Mac OS X comes prepared to all architectures: PowerPC 64 bits, x86 and x86 64 bits so regardless of where you’re running it (G5, Core Duo or Core 2 Duo) it works in the right mode.
I find this to be utterly unbelievable and totally prone to piracy.
Update: It was unbelievable after all. A kind soul from Microsoft informed me that you can upgrade to the 64bits for a nominal fee (check comments for more details). You still have to buy another copy of Windows Vista (or any other Windows for that matter) if you want another language though.
Also, if you want to change language in some Windows Vista versions, you also have to buy a new license. How silly is that?
I forgot about that one. It’s silly as well. If you have, say, different users with different language preferences you need to have two single and independent installations of Windows Vista…
If you go with the ultimate version you already have the 64 bit edition DVD coming with the package. If you have any other version you can order the 64 bit here- http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/2057/ordermedia/default.mspx.
It’s not the best solution (you have to pay a minimal fee) but it’s not that bad.
So please try to correct your post because it’s not accurate.
joamag,
Ultimate costs about the same as the example I provided. $399 amounts for the 32bits plus buying the 64bits edition later on. You have to be floating on a lot of money to cash out $399 for an operating system.
As for the link you provided, I’ll update my post accordingly.
I think I did not explain myself correctly.
The options are:
- Vista Ultimate Package (2 DVDs one with the x86 and other with the x64 version
- Vista Home (Basic/Premium) or
Enterprise (1 DVD in the package) you need to go to the link to get the x64 or x86 (complementary) depending on the version you bough (you pay a small handling fee)
So you can have the x64 version for free in both cases.
And yes you’re right on that one… Vista Ultimate is really expensive. I’m glad I bought it for $20 :). I would never give $399 for the extras they give.
joamag I got that pretty well and that’s what I’ve written on the update notice: for a small fee you can get the x64 version.
Regarding the language, it depends on the version you’re using, because with Ultimate and Enterprise you could use the MUI (Multi User Interface) for your language of choice.
For the other languages you could also use the LIP (Language Interface Pack) which is somehow limited because they don’t localize all the resources, but exists and can be used and it could be enough for most users.
mlopes
ooops sorry… my mistake I didn’t read the update.
About the languages, I really think Microsoft should review their global vision. Many of their products already offer Multi language support in the main package, but their flagship products (Windows and Office) still lack the multi language support. That problem should be “fixed” in their next version. I think they are going to change their policy for Windows 7 and next version of Office.
I hope that “fix” does not come with an increase in the base price.
For the other languages = For the other versions