I'm looking into a new system. Namely, a Dell box with Windows Vista Home Premium 64 bit operating system. I'm interested in the 64 bit OS, but I realize that only Photoshop will be able to be used in this mode. Dell doesn't seem to offer a 32 bit version as a choice. I realize that a lot of plug-ins won't run in the 64 bit mode, but I'm told that PS CS4 comes with both versions on board. It seems that I can run PS in the 32 bit mode, and 64 as needed.
My big question is whether many of my other apps will run on this machine. I'd like not to have to buy tons of new software, which probably isn't available anyway. Does anyone have any experiences to share on this subject? I'd hate yo not be able to run burning software, MS Office etc.
All 32 bit apps should work on Vista64 (google wow 64). If bought some apps for XP some time ago, you may want to check with the company. For instance I use Nero that came with a burner. It was something like version 6.2 and I had to upgrade in order to use it for Vista (not related to 64 but at all, just Vista in general). That and antivirus (Avira is a nice free product) are the only things I have come across that did not like the transition.
Now if you have much older software like 16 bit and DOS based apps, they will not work. You can run them through virtualPC (free download) though.
Tim, as Dan said, virtually all recent software (within the past few years) should run fine under Vista x64. I am also running Vista x64, and I can't recall any software that I haven't been able to get running (a couple I've had to run in Compatability mode). I don't think this should be a big concern.
I got Vista 64 about a year ago and had a problems with a couple of programs not working (CA Antivirus, itunes, Garmin GPS software, Adobe Flash w/ Firefox web browser). All the rest of my software worked: Lightroom 1.0, MS Office 2003, Nero, etc.
As far as the programs that didn't work you can usually google the error message/problem and find a solution on message boards. Such as deleting a program file and replacing it with another or a plugin (like you have to do with Adobe Flash Player). Also just to note: I haven't had any problems with any new program (except for Adobe Flash) as they either work or there is a x64 version; for example iTunes is now available for x64.
