Is Real Estate Ready For 64-Bit Computing?
By Chad A. Johnson · September 14, 2008
Just as quickly as Windows Vista became the only operating system choice at the big-box stores, it seems that the 64-bit version of Vista is becoming the pre-installed version of choice. It has gotten difficult to find a Dell or HP computer at such stores as Best Buy, Circuit City or Costco that doesn’t have an edition of Vista 64-bit installed.
What is the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit Vista?
Without getting too geeky, 64-bit operating systems can use more RAM. 32-bit systems are mathematically limited to 4 GB of RAM. This total includes the video card memory, as well.
For computers, such as mine, with 4GB of RAM and a hefty video card installed, only 3-3.5 GB of the RAM will be recognized and utilized.
So 64-bit must be better than 32-bit, right?
In the long run, it will allow for more powerful computers. Unfortunately, real estate agents making the switch to a 64-bit platform could experience a lot of compatibility issues.
What types of issues should I expect when switching to 64-bit Vista?
Before going to a 64-bit system, do your homework.
Make a list of every peripheral that you own (printer, scanner, digital camera, web cam) and every piece of software that you could not do without.
Once you have that list, go to each manufacturer’s website to determine 64-bit compatibility. Hardware will need compatible drivers. Software may need patches to work.
If the manufacturer doesn’t offer any real answers, Google it. A quick search for “Vista 64-bit compatibility with…” can provide a wealth of information. Forums are filled with real-life accounts of computer users and their 64-bit experiences.
Be prepared to find out that a peripheral will need to be replaced or a newer version of a program will need to be purchased to be compatible.
What was my switch to 64-bit Vista like?
My computer seemed to be the perfect candidate for an upgrade from 32-bit Vista Ultimate to the 64-bit version. It has 4 GB of RAM and a video card with 768 MB of memory. On the 32-bit platform, only 3.2GB of memory was recognized. Seemed like a waste of money to have bought all that RAM for only 80% to be utilized.
After careful deliberation, I decided to jump into the 64-bit world. My reasoning: if 64-bit systems are being sold to mainstream users and my hardware and software are relatively new, it should be a safe switch. Besides, I wanted to use all of my RAM (or go all out and install the maximum 8 GB of RAM).
I did my research. I went to manufacturer websites, did Google searches and even directly contacted tech support for a few questionable pieces of equipment.
Overall, my experience was dreadful. Even with my careful research, I ran into issues:
- Spysweeper isn’t compatible and had to be thrown out.
- My iPod corrupts each time I sync. I now use my XP laptop to sync via my network.
- A BIOS update was required to keep a USB card from freezing my computer.
- Symantec spent a total of 9 hours remotely controlling my computer to get Norton Internet Security 2008 to work.
- Outlook won’t shut down.
- The system won’t hibernate anymore.
- Acrobat needed a patch before it would create a PDF.
While some of these issues will eventually be resolved (through countless hours on my part), they are definitely affecting my productivity and computing enjoyment.
I would not recommend anyone go through this hassle. The performance boost is not substantial enough to justify the time and energy spent.
What to consider when purchasing a new computer?
Eventually, you will need a new computer. Should you find a system with 32-bit Vista or go with 64-bit versions?
Before you know it, 64-bit computing will be common place. The progression is inevitable. Purchasing a 32-bit computer now will only lead to regret in the near future when everything is running on 64-bit.
Luckily, many of the upgrade problems that I ran across won’t be an issue for computers purchased with 64-bit Vista pre-installed.
Just as I recommended for real estate agents making the jump to Windows Vista, do your research and expect to pay more on your next computer purchase. The extra money isn’t for the computer (new computers are ridiculously cheap these days), it is for new peripherals and software.
That 6-year-old printer might print just fine for you, it may not be 64-bit compatible and need to be replaced. Your copy of Acrobat 7 might suits your needs for PDF conversion, but a purchased upgrade to 8.1 or newer is required to run on a 64-bit computer.
When budgeting for a new computer, expect to spend nearly as much on software upgrades and new peripherals as you do on the computer, itself.
The good news: 32-bit computing has been the standard since 1995, so 64-bit technology should be around for awhile.
Comments
4 Responses to “Is Real Estate Ready For 64-Bit Computing?”Share your thoughts...
If you want an avatar or to include your social profiles join our Facebook community. You can also edit your profile and add your favorite networks.
I recently purchased a new HP laptop with pre-installed 64-bit Vista. To be honest, I researched all the compatibility issues with Vista before I purchased, but neglected to understand the difference between 32 bit and 64 bit. When products say they are Vista compatible, they do not always differentiate between 32 bit and 64 bit.
I agree that having it pre-installed was probably easier than what you went through as I did not have as many problems. My ScanSnap S500 is not compatible so I keep that hooked to my XP laptop. (That was an example of thinking it was Vista compatible but not 64-bit). I also have problems with ZipformsOnline. It works fine, but cannot export a form to a .pdf. I did find Primo PDF as a good solution for creating PDF documents without having to upgrade Adobe at this time. (It did not solve my Zipforms problem though)
The best advice I could offer is to not get rid of your old machine until 64-bit becomes more mainstream so you have a backup to perform critical tasks that may pose a problem on your new machine.
On a side note, I LOVE my new laptop. Vista is great and the laptop performance is amazing. The 64-bit issue is there, but not a deal breaker for me.
Good post Chad.
You did not mention SmartPhone synch issues or third party data base programs such as Top Producer. Fortunately, after almost two weeks of “oh no, I bought another Palm cell and it isn’t going to work with Vista”, I discovered an Eagle amongst the ducks at Palm tech support. Every other tech person at Verizon and Palm had said that my new Centro would not synch with the HP Tablet PC running Vista because it was 64 bit technology. Then, it was “Palm won’t be compatible with a Tablet PC at all”. “Anna”, my one last try at calling to resolve a couple of issues, discovered that the system is actually 32 bit, and further, the Vista Home Premium has the Tablet PC running in a manner that should allow compatibility. She discovered a corruption issue, uninstalled, reinstalled the Palm software, and I can now synch Top Producer. Documents to Go is still giving me issues about using one laptop with XP and another with Vista, but I think that it can be resolved with a few more hours with Tech Support.
So, I think that I am a REALTOR and a sales agent, huh. Nope. I am a tech support groupie!
Kim,
You brought up a great point. I can’t believe that I didn’t mention it.
As Kim pointed out, I have yet to see any software or hardware differentiate between 32-bit or 64-bit Vista compatibility. Boxes simply say “Vista compatible”, which could very well mean “Vista 32-bit compatible”.
While I love my Vista machine, I too have a Windows XP machine available for emergencies. That old Pentium 4 machine has come in handy more than I would care to admit.
Lois,
Thank you for sharing your experience.
I bought my wife a Centro for Christmas and she loves it. Not having to learn a new operating system made her adoption to her first smartphone a breeze.
Your experience brings up my number 1 rule of tech support, “Not all technicians are created equal”. Just because one person says that something can’t be done, don’t give up.
Usually, it is a lack of knowledge and a fear of looking bad that will keep a tech from saying those golden words, “I don’t know, let me find out and get back to you”.
Always ask to have your problem escalated to the next level of support technician. That is the only way that my Norton issue was solve, I very politely insisted on a case manager assist me.