Windows 10: 32 bit or 64 bit

Apart from some 16/32GB tablets and hybrids, it is virtually impossible to buy a 32bit pc anymore.

 

Microsoft recommend, and install by default, the 32-bit version of Office on 64-bit systems. This article explains the pros and cons of each. There are more disadvantages to the 64-bit version than advantages.

https://support.office.com/en-us/art...rs=en-US&ad=US

 

That's what I was thinking.

 

Yep, I have to go to the office folder and run setup64.exe to get the 64 bit version. If I run setup.exe from the root of the ISO I end up with the 32 bit version. No prompt to chose one or the other, if just installs the 32 bit version.

 

Visual Studio 2017 is also 32-bit, but VS Code is 64-bit. Both can still compile 32/64-bit software. *Smile

To the OP: Buy a decent computer. Get help from someone who knows computer hardware and can recommend a device that is good, will have a long lifespan but does not cost too much. If for some reason some application would not run on your new computer, then it's most likely something so old that you should not run it anyways.

 

recently i've switched from 32-bit to 64-bit (been used 32-bit OS for about 7/8 years)

i can say, 64-bit is better choice if u've 64-bit supported drivers for ur pc components *Smile multi-tasking is much more improved in 64-bit OS... and all my portable apps (32-bit) run smoothly in 64-bit...

good luck *Smile

EDIT: for multi-tasking, u need 4GB+ RAM to see real world difference.

 

Consider Lenovo. Good quality, not expensive. (I have no relationship with them except as a satisfied user).

 

Lenovo is good as long as you get something commercial, such as the ThinkPad series and not the IdeaPad which is consumer grade crap. I worked at a computer repair store for some time and we saw more consumer grade crap from all brands come in for broken hinges, power connectors, USB ports, etc. Anything we sold was commercial grade, so Lattitudes (our biggest by far), Precisions, ThinkPads. Never had any come back in for any of that.

 

*Thumbs

 

For clarity, the Lenovo ThinkPads are considered business class PC's - ThinkPad & ThinkCentre PCs

That said, because I have one, I'll +1 for the Lenovo ThinkPad line as well. Solidly built with great performance. However, if you're into aesthetics, they might not please you there. But again, they do perform.

 

This whole thread can be summarised as follows:

32 bit pcs can only run 32 bit programs

64 bit pcs can run both

Apart from some tablets/hybrids, every new PC is 64 bit (and mostly UEFI).

You only need 64bit Office for special cases, which most mere mortals never encounter.

THE END.

 

And then all the bits lived happily ever after!