The 64-bit question: Do consumers really care?
The 64-bit edition of Windows Vista continues to gain in market share. However, some are questioning whether it’s really an important issue for consumers, or if it might even cause more problems than it solves.
The latest figures come from Microsoft’s Mike Nash, a senior figure in the Windows division. Speaking about recently-released figures on driver compatibility problems, he told BetaNews that around 20 percent of Vista computers sold in the US in September ran the 64-bit edition.
It’s not entirely clear from Nash’s words whether he was referring to 20 percent of Vista-enabled machines or all computers, but other sources suggest the former. (Interestingly it’s also reported that 40 percent of all PCs in Best Buy come with 64-bit Vista, so that could be a good site for bargain hunters as the company goes through financial turmoil.)
However, it doesn’t appear consumers are clamoring for 64-bit machines just for the sake of it. Instead it’s much more likely manufacturers competing to sell the highest-spec machines the market can support are targeting 4GB or more of memory as a key selling point, which in turn makes 64-bit extremely useful on paper and essential in reality. So there’s a good chance that many or most 64-bit buyers have given little thought to the 32 vs 64 issue.
This trend does raise the question of how many people really need 4GB of memory. For hardcore gamers, or people who regularly multitask with photo or video editing software, it may be essential. But for other users, the problem may be as much Vista’s inefficient use of memory as it is their personal software needs. And there’s certainly a mixed message sent from hardware manufacturers boosting memory capability and the same time Microsoft is talking about a slimmed down Windows 7 which could even run on netbooks.
And the big stumbling block, as Nash was explaining, is driver compatibility. The growth of 64-bit machines appears to be outpacing the desire or ability of device manufacturers to produce 64-bit compatible drivers. Indeed, another Windows exec even recently told hardware firms to “Please, please develop for 64-bit”.
That’s an understandable plea. After all, it doesn’t really matter whether you blame Microsoft, device manufacturers or PC builders: the fact is that if consumers buy top-notch new PCs with the 64-bit edition of Windows 7 and find widespread compatibility issues, they’ll simply see it as Vista Hell Part 2.
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November 19th, 2008
I work at Best Buy mostly selling PCs. You’re right, very few (my best guess is around 1%) of customers actually know about 32 vs 64, and only half of those even care. Most look at specs and appearance of the PC and that’s about it. It can take a lot of work determining what’s right for the person.
November 30th, 2008
Much of the activity of home computer users involves the internet. And most of these people won’t immediately get the “binary” reason of 64-bit and 4GB of RAM even if you wanted to explain it to them. Perhaps as 64-bit browsers start taking-off, we will get more powerful internet apps and that will transfer to those who bought the 64-bit computers. Until then, the only ppl who will benefit from 64-bit are the heavy multitaskers for work and power users.