Window 7 32 or 64 bit versions

I just bought (ordered actually, it hasn't arrived yet) Parallels 6 to use on my MacBookPro. I now need to buy an edition of Windows 7. It's not clear to me what the differences between Windows 7 32 bit and 64 bit are and whether it makes any difference which one I buy. Thanks for the help.

 

Yes! I have EXACTLY the same question. I have a new 12-core MacPro (mid-2010). 6GB RAM.

I am a Mac guy and my office is still on XP, so I am clueless about Windows 7.

I want to run Windows 7 to use apps like MS Project and Visio, and to play PC games like Call of Duty.

Which Windows do I want? First off, do I want 32-bit or 64-bit? My machine is all 64-bit rocking, right? So 64-bit would give the best performance? And then is it Home, Professional, or Ultimate?

I am clueless and don't know what to order! Someone please help! Thanks!

 

Which Mac do you run?

If you are going to allocate 4GB of RAM to your Virtual Machine, then install the 64-bit version. Both the 32-bit and 64-bit DVDs are in the retail box. If you are going to allocate less than 4GB either version would about equally well.

The main difference between 32-bit and 64-bit is that the 64-bit version has better memory management. There are not very many 64-bit applications for Windows yet, so most programs still run in 32-bit mode. However, 32-bit Windows can only access about 3.25GB of RAM.

With 64-bit, you need to install 64-bit drivers for your printer, scanner, etc. This isn't an issue for most newer devices or anything marked as certified for Windows 7 or Vista.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to run Parallels on a MacBookPro with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 4 GB of memory. Given that configuration, does it matter which Windows I buy?

 

You will probably be OK with either version of Windows. You are less likely to run into compatibility issues with Windows 7 32-bit than with 64-bit so that may be the easiest.

 

I also have a MacBookPro with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 4 GB of memory. The 2 main apps I'm running are 64 bit (Architectural design and rendering programs). I have Parallels 5 and have allocated 2.5 GB of RAM.

Don't know if I should upgrade to Parallels 6 or stay with 5 and upgrade to Windows 7. Currently running 32 bit XP and these 2 apps are slow.

 

From my experience, Parallels 6 was a bit buggy in its initial release, but the latest version is pretty stable and quick on my new MacBook Air. I do occasionally have an issue with "losing" the alias to the VM in the Dock (it shows up with a question mark and won't start up), but so far a Time Machine restore has been enough to bring it back. It might be worth it to try to see if Parallels 6 is faster.