32 or 64??

[steve reilly]

Johnneylee Rollins wrote:
>>>> I just bought a new HP notebook with 4GB of memory and wondering if I
>>>> should install the 32 or 64 bit version of Ubuntu?  I do work, on
>>>> occasion, in Windows using VirtualBox.
> Raquel, to make full use of your ram I would suggest 64-bit.
> 
>>        I read the referenced URL and it tells me that 32 bit is the
>> way to go IF you want zero problems. If you want to play with
>> 64 bit and have serious problems then by all means us 64 bit.
> 
> Karl, again you are wrong. There is really good support for 64-bit and
> I have used it for the last year and a half flawlessly.
> This isn't windows, you don't need some compatibility layer. To the
> OP, don't listen to Karl, he seems to get all his knowledge from a
> rather large empty expanse in his head. What exactly are the serious
> problems you mention? Do you even know what you are talking about, and
> no, your PhD in making a light bulb work doesn't matter.
> 
> Raquel, don't listen to Karl.

ive never ventured into 64bit land because of lack of mainstream support 
many years ago....... that has changed.  im happy to say this pangolin 
from system76 is my first 64bit ubuntu install and im pretty pleased. 
compared to my other t42 and compaq desktop installs of 32 bit, this is 
definately snappier.

my advice is, if you stay in the repos for what you need for programs, 
you will be satisfied..... venturing outside the repos for popular 
programs can be a crapshoot, and may involve compiling if no native 64 
bit deb... but its getting better fairly quickly... ie. skype, boxee 
both recently developed beta 64 bit, something i use quite a bit of.....hth.

steve