64-bit is old hat, Microsoft mulling 128-bit versions of Windows

jmke · 9th October 2009, 15:50

Believe it or not, Windows 7's successor(s) have been in the planning and early development stages for a while now. We haven't posted anything about any of them yet, but we've been watching closely to see if anything really interesting turned up. Exactly two weeks ago, it did. A LinkedIn profile, which has already been taken down, for a Robert Morgan, Senior Research & Development at Microsoft, has shone a sliver of light on the possibility of 128-bit support coming to Windows 8.

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/new...-windows-9.ars

9th October 2009, 19:01

Software still won't support it until 64 bit is turned off, MS failed to axe 32bit with Windows 7 so I don't expect them to get it right this time

10th October 2009, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rutar

Software still won't support it until 64 bit is turned off, MS failed to axe 32bit with Windows 7 so I don't expect them to get it right this time

7 was supposed to be 64bit only, but probably because Vista x64 wasn't a great succes (id Vista wasn't a success overall

) and x64 driver support is still too basic to push the market in x64.

When Windows 8 comes out, 64-bit support should be much better and not bringing out a 32-bit version of Windows 8 wouldn't be as catastrophic for sales as not brining out a 32-bit version of Windows 7.

10th October 2009, 21:14

What's wrong with 64bit right now? There isn't any reason to go with 32bit due to 64-bit driver support anymore, in my humble opinion.

10th October 2009, 21:19

That is the point, there was no reason to relase a 32bit Version of 7 and now it stalls 64 bit software development.

11th October 2009, 09:36

There are still a lot of programs that don't work on 64-bit systems, 64-bit drivers aren't always available either (or they can't be installed because they aren't signed) and in office environments 64-bit isn't necessary because you don't need 4Gb of RAM to use Office...

11th October 2009, 12:14

chicken-egg problem, if you don't force developers to code in 64 bit they won't

11th October 2009, 13:07

Definitely agree on that one, but Microsoft probably didn't have much choice because of bad Vista sales and Seven has to make up for these bad sales (and a 64-bit only versions probably wouldn't do that).

jmke · 11th October 2009, 13:24

plenty of 32bit only CPUs out there

11th October 2009, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmke

plenty of 32bit only CPUs out there

Source?

Would those systems even recieve an OS upgrade?

Microsoft had a choice because it is Microsoft.

Apple is cutting off old system support in new OSes and almost noone complains.

9th October 2009, 15:50	#1
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,021	64-bit is old hat, Microsoft mulling 128-bit versions of Windows Believe it or not, Windows 7's successor(s) have been in the planning and early development stages for a while now. We haven't posted anything about any of them yet, but we've been watching closely to see if anything really interesting turned up. Exactly two weeks ago, it did. A LinkedIn profile, which has already been taken down, for a Robert Morgan, Senior Research & Development at Microsoft, has shone a sliver of light on the possibility of 128-bit support coming to Windows 8. http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/new...-windows-9.ars __________________

11th October 2009, 13:24	#9
jmke Madshrimp Join Date: May 2002 Location: 7090/Belgium Posts: 79,021	plenty of 32bit only CPUs out there __________________

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9th October 2009, 19:01	#2
Rutar Posts: n/a	Software still won't support it until 64 bit is turned off, MS failed to axe 32bit with Windows 7 so I don't expect them to get it right this time

10th October 2009, 21:14	#4
Kougar Posts: n/a	What's wrong with 64bit right now? There isn't any reason to go with 32bit due to 64-bit driver support anymore, in my humble opinion.

10th October 2009, 21:19	#5
Rutar Posts: n/a	That is the point, there was no reason to relase a 32bit Version of 7 and now it stalls 64 bit software development.

11th October 2009, 09:36	#6
wutske Posts: n/a	There are still a lot of programs that don't work on 64-bit systems, 64-bit drivers aren't always available either (or they can't be installed because they aren't signed) and in office environments 64-bit isn't necessary because you don't need 4Gb of RAM to use Office...

11th October 2009, 12:14	#7
Rutar Posts: n/a	chicken-egg problem, if you don't force developers to code in 64 bit they won't

11th October 2009, 13:07	#8
wutske Posts: n/a	Definitely agree on that one, but Microsoft probably didn't have much choice because of bad Vista sales and Seven has to make up for these bad sales (and a 64-bit only versions probably wouldn't do that).