Microsoft has just announced that Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 will be the last versions of Windows to support 32bit processors.
“Microsoft has used its annual hardware engineering conference to announce that Windows Vista and Server 2008 will be the last versions of Windows capable of booting on 32-bit CPUs such as Intel Pentium 4 and Core Duo. AMD, which introduced 64-bit CPUs early — much to the derision of Intel, which said there was no use for them at the time — must be delighted with Microsoft’s decision. Owners of first-generation Intel Macs that used (32-bit only) Core Duo CPUs may not be so happy knowing that Vista will be the last Windows they will be able to run.”
So does this mark the end of 32 bit processors, or will they continue to be sold and supported by the Linux community? We will find out soon enough.
*update* it seems that the statement was misunderstood. What Microsoft’s Bill Laing meant was that Windows Server 2008 will be the last “server” operative system to run on 32bit processors.
You know, I think the whole “Owners of first-generation Intel Macs that used (32-bit only) Core Duo CPUs may not be so happy” comment is a bit pre-mature. Vista just came out. the OS will be around for AT LEAST the next 5 years or so…probably longer…I seriously doubt most of those Mac owners will still be using those Macs by the time the next version of Windows actually comes out.
It’s the small pop and mom shop that won’t like that. Sometimes customs systems are made to work on affordable computers. Sure they can upgrade the computer but will the customs system work on the new post-Vista?
Mom and pop shops will stick to whatever works for them. Upgrading isn’t worth the cost unless they are planning to expand. My last “mom and pop” job has *only just* upgraded to a WinXP based touchscreen PoS system. Previous to that it was still a black and white DoS system with only keyboard input (Which took a week longer to learn but was still much faster to use after the training period, and face it, most staff were there > 5 years anyway).
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