Why Upgrading to Windows XP 64 Bit Might Not Be In The Cards

The November issue of PC World contains a small article about Windows XP 64 bit. What it had to say about the operating system’s features cast a lot of doubt about whether I would move my Windows machine to it. Just like Windows XP was incompatible with a lot of hardware and some software that ran fine on Windows 98, Windows XP 64 bit may offer some of the same drawbacks as its 32 bit brother.

For instance, XP 64 bit will not offer any DOS support at all. Then, there will be the problems of drivers. Drivers will be very slow in coming since not that many users will make the move; and Microsoft is already warning users about expecting old hardware to work with the new OS. I just got my old Paperport mx running under Windows XP. Do I want to risk sabotaging that with a move to Win XP 64? If I do, will WinXP64 support my current dual-boot set up with Windows 98SE? I’ve seen nothing on that at all; and while I have no reason to expect it won’t, I also have no reason to suspect it will. The news for gamers is that while some games will be patched for 64 bit, the true benefits in 64 bit computing won’t be seen until the next generation of games, and the article predicts that will be in 2005. I’m happy with Flight Sim 2004; something would have to happen in the flight sim world to make me want to move to 64 bit.

Probably, I’m going to opt instead for staying with Windows XP and maybe doing one or more incremental upgrades on my current PC. I can move to an AMD 2400+ for under $100, so that may be something I do pretty soon. Maybe early next year, I’ll step it up to an AMD 3200+. But for now, my thoughts of going to some kind of 64 bit processor in my PC are on hold. The advantages of making the move are just too few.