Should I buy a Linux computer or wait for Windows Vista?

[tomcollingwood]

Seems that running x86_64 versions of Linux provides quite a lot of problems at the moment in regard to getting pluggins to work as most of the FAQ websites with info which are excellent work don't tend to work often with x86_64. I have tried running a 32-bit version of Fedora and SUSE 10.0 but have come up against big big problems and so have gone back to 64 which is nice and stable with my laptop AMD64. I was wondering when Windows vista came out would this situation change quickly as more software developers might be finally bothering to make 64 bit applications making it easier for things to be inserted into these versions of Linux or am I hoping too much? Its tempting to go and buy another laptop such as this http://www.linuxcertified.com/linux-laptop-lc2440n.html
but would wait if things are likely to become easier in the near future.

Thanks for any opinions.

Tom

[antidrugue]

Seems that running x86_64 versions of Linux provides quite a lot of problems at the moment in regard to getting pluggins to work as most of the FAQ websites with info which are excellent work don't tend to work often with x86_64.

Yes, it can cause a few occasionnaly issues. That's why using a 32 bits OS is probably an easier solution.

I have tried running a 32-bit version of Fedora and SUSE 10.0 but have come up against big big problems

I see no reason why you should have problems running 32 bits OS on a AMD64 CPU. XP is a 32 bits OS you know. The AMD64 has full 32 bits capabilities:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amd64

What is your actual computer? Is it a laptop? Which model?

[tomcollingwood]

My computer is a Acer Ferrari3400 latop, when trying 32 bit versions with both I had really strange problems with my mouse and internet connections including updating problems. One thing that occured with the mouse was that it moved around at about half-speed if that makes any sense and when I was trying to update the system nothing would occur in terms of update progress on the percentage bar when it was looking for available updates, however when I waved my mouse over the progress bar the percentage went up how-ever many times I waved the mouse up and down, totally wierd!! The speed of downloads and moving from web-pages really decreased as well making it too slow to bother with. I cannot make sense of these things and am now running Fedora Core 5 64 and have got a few things working like DVD playback, it seems to have more clear answers available than SUSE.

I would not be too bothered about selling this computer with the aim to buy a Linux configured system but maybe its not neccessary and I shouldf be able to configure this still to the same degree but it will take a long time. Also would it be taking a silly step back to move away from a 64bit system when I would have thought it will grow in use rather than decrease?

[antidrugue]

Ok then. I understand your issues. Stay with what works best for you.

I'm sure you already find it. But here is great how-to for your machine:
http://ferrari.databa.se/

[opaline]

vista sux-my friend has it..and
its a way big rip off of linux..
use if you dont mind a bunch of useless junk in your rig :/

Seems that running x86_64 versions of Linux provides quite a lot of problems at the moment in regard to getting pluggins to work as most of the FAQ websites with info which are excellent work don't tend to work often with x86_64. I have tried running a 32-bit version of Fedora and SUSE 10.0 but have come up against big big problems and so have gone back to 64 which is nice and stable with my laptop AMD64. I was wondering when Windows vista came out would this situation change quickly as more software developers might be finally bothering to make 64 bit applications making it easier for things to be inserted into these versions of Linux or am I hoping too much? Its tempting to go and buy another laptop such as this http://www.linuxcertified.com/linux-laptop-lc2440n.html
but would wait if things are likely to become easier in the near future.

Thanks for any opinions.

Tom

[stubbe]

Should I buy a Linux computer or wait for Windows Vista?

this is the funniest question asked in a linux support forum

Seems that running x86_64 versions of Linux provides quite a lot of problems at the moment in regard to getting pluggins to work as most of the FAQ websites with info which are excellent work don't tend to work often with x86_64. I have tried running a 32-bit version of Fedora and SUSE 10.0 but have come up against big big problems and so have gone back to 64 which is nice and stable with my laptop AMD64. I was wondering when Windows vista came out would this situation change quickly as more software developers might be finally bothering to make 64 bit applications making it easier for things to be inserted into these versions of Linux or am I hoping too much? Its tempting to go and buy another laptop such as this http://www.linuxcertified.com/linux-laptop-lc2440n.html
but would wait if things are likely to become easier in the near future.

Thanks for any opinions.

Tom

I'll tell you my experience with 64 bit version of Windows XP. Even if the OS is 64 bit but if the application is 32 bit you won't gain anything. And now not much yet 64 bit end user applications available. So far 64 bit OSes (in this case XP x64) only provides emulation for its backward compatibility with 32 bit apps.

As for vista itself, windows becoming more bloated on each release. I would avoid it as much as i can and uses older windows such as XP or even win2k (which I still use till today).

But you should keep 32 bit and 64 bit OSes, perhaps now 64 bit isn't really supported yet by software producers, but someday it will.

[zachm]

I would say that at this point, there is prob more support for 64 bit apps under linux than there is under Windows. That may change with Vista, and in the meantime there are workarounds for plugins/apps that have a hard time with or just plain haven't been written for 64-OS yet. As it was stated earlier in the thread, 32 bit apps have NO problem running on a 64-OS. So really, it all just comes down to whether you want it now or later. It might be a bit yet before we start to see more mainstream apps start popping up with the 64 tag on them. (though there are a few highend apps here and there that have made the leap - mostly digital imaging programs though) If you must choose, choose wisely....

[tomcollingwood]

I would never buy windows Vista don't get me wrong, I was just wondering can we hope when it comes out for more 64bit applications to be made making it easier for Linux or should I just dump having a 64-bit OS system and buy a nicely configured Linux computer 32-bit which would be easier to customize. I hate Microsoft, I have xp-home and xp64 and hate them both. Considered moving to Mac for a while but I feel Linux is the way to go. No chance im going to pay a stupid amount of money for a crap Microsoft OS system full of restrictions and bugs where one has to pay hundreds for software to put on it.

[techieMoe]

I would never buy windows Vista don't get me wrong, I was just wondering can we hope when it comes out for more 64bit applications to be made making it easier for Linux or should I just dump having a 64-bit OS system and buy a nicely configured Linux computer 32-bit which would be easier to customize.

There's absolutely no reason not to buy a 64-bit computer right now. You don't have to run 64-bit software on it, and when 64-bit OSes and applications catch up you're already capable of running them.

[zachm]

There's absolutely no reason not to buy a 64-bit computer right now. You don't have to run 64-bit software on it, and when 64-bit OSes and applications catch up you're already capable of running them.

And the TRUTH shall set you free....