Windows 64 will be free

[Makarov9]

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=21760

For owners of Windows XP they can get a free copy of Win64 when it comes out. I'm amazed MS is doing this.

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by Makarov9
I'm amazed MS is doing this.

So am I.

[Sixpence]

There will be a catch somewhere, nothing is free

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by Sixpence
There will be a catch somewhere, nothing is free

Maybe they have done some kind of deal with the cpu makers to get more people to upgrade to 64bit processing... dunno, just tossing out my thoughts.

[Siaf__csf]

Hey guys it's called beta testing.

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by Siaf__csf
Hey guys it's called beta testing.

All windows operating systems are betas.

[Mickey1992]

Can a 32-bit processor run a 64-bit operating system?

[Siaf__csf]

Don't I know it.

To be serious I've been fairly happy with Windows2000 and later with XP.

When you turn all the unnecessary things from XP, it's like w2k with a couple extras added. Meaning it's quite nice.

I still get nausea when I have to use a standard XP installation on my clients.

I don't think so Mickey. There wouldn't be any point to do so. Reversely the 64-bit cpu's benefit a lot from it potentially, especially in memory consuming tasks such as rendering video.

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by Siaf__csf
Don't I know it.

To be serious I've been fairly happy with Windows2000 and later with XP.

When you turn all the unnecessary things from XP, it's like w2k with a couple extras added. Meaning it's quite nice.

I still get nausea when I have to use a standard XP installation on my clients.

I don't think so Mickey. There wouldn't be any point to do so. Reversely the 64-bit cpu's benefit a lot from it potentially, especially in memory consuming tasks such as rendering video.

Yeah, the last 2 have been alot better than the previous, but they are still released too soon and with to many bugs imo. Maybe Longhorn will be even better from day one.

[Siaf__csf]

Heh I still remember how I laughed at the first guy online who had W2k and he said he liked it.

To my amazement I liked it too. Had linux on my box for a while also. I've been thinking to get a 64-bit kernel now that both my laptop and gaming box are 64-bits.

[Nilsen]

My current operating system is named after a cat and I like it.

[indy007]

Could be related to the massive amount of pirate cd keys out there. They're supposed to be changing up their entire system soon.

[Drunky]

Originally posted by Nilsen
Maybe Longhorn will be even better from day one.

From what I have heard Longhorn will operate a bit like Steam does for Half-Life 2.

When your computer is on it is connected to a Windows site in the background and keeps tabs on what you are doing.

Of course this could be paranoia but I also never thought that a game wouldn't work off-line ala Steam.

[Siaf__csf]

Last time they made 'failsafe' copyprotections to windows they initiated a discount sale in the Korean pirate market.

Normal price for pirated cd-rom was $15, XP sold for $10.

[Mini D]

I've heard you'll have to de-activate your active 32bit version to get the new 64bit version.  The downside being that compatibility and driver support is not anywhere near where the average consumer would need it.

I tried the 64bit beta and decided to stick with the 32bit version for now.  I'll probably upgrade to the 64bit version with this offer, but I know this will come at the very real cost of not being able to find drivers for some of my hardware.

MiniD