In the market for a new desktop and seeking suggestions, the geriatric gerbil in my home machine is nearly toast. I'm needing a machine that will allow me to run various surveying programs as well as some older DOS based geodetic computational software as I'm gradually trying to set myself up to work solo at some point. One of my concerns with going to Windows 8 and a 64 bit operating system. From what I understand, older 32 bit drivers won't work in a 64 bit machine. Are most out there running 64 bit systems? I understand that they handle RAM more efficiently. Has this caused problems with running older drivers? I'm using Windows 7 Professional 32 bit at work and havn't had too many issues. I do have the option of purchasing Windows 7 seperately. Anyone out there waving me off from Windows 8?
Currently eyeing the HP ENVY h8-1534 Desktop running Windows 8
Any and all suggestions and comments are welcome.
Thank you all and good day.
Willy
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
Do try Windows 8 before you buy it - not everyone likes it - and it really needs a touchscreen to work properly. While I might consider using it on a portable device, personally I would not have it on a desktop
Yes you can upgrade to Windows 7 - but you will have to obtain a copy of the install media.
32bit WinXp is still a good choice if you are worried about driver compatibility
Yes on what Jim said plus...
I would go with a 64bit Windows 7. Has been my experience that I can easily get 7 to run any old 32bit programs. I tried Windows 8 and it's Virtual Machine. NO THANKS.
If you want to play with apps and have a touch screen, than 8 would be cool. If you want to get some surveying work done, stick with 7.
If you buy a Windows 8 machine, you will be on the bleeding edge of technology, which is not a very good place to be when it comes to surveying/CAD applications. Leastwise, that has been my experience.
Windows 64 bit 7 is the ticket. As others have pointed out, what do you need a touchscreen in the office? I was perfectly happy with XP. Something to note: Windows is phasing out the XP, so next year there will be no more support XP and below.
-JD-
All good advice above. As for older DOS based applications, I have had good luck with the DosBox emulator:
Very helpful stuff.
Windows 7 64 sounds to me to be the ticket.
HP seems to be loading Windows 8 onto just about everything they sell new now. I'm more interested in functionality than gee wiz-bang, hate to be on the bleeding edge of anything, unless of course I'm moose hunting.
Thank you one and all for your input.
Willy
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
I too am shopping for a new machine. I see that 64 bit is now and the future. Not being up on all the new bells and whistles of all the ever changing tech, what other types of specs should a hi-end desktop purchaser be looking for as far as processor, video cards and RAM. I need to be able to push the newer versions of ACAD and Arcmap without watching the wheel spin all day. I know better than to go with 8, I got sucked into the Vista vortex when it was the next greatest thing. Never again. Thanks in advance.
I very highly recommend HP Z820 64b with nVidia card from CDW. Superior machine. You can get it next day instead of having to wait a week on dell.
32 bit programs work fine, the problem is that many 32 bit programs have 16 bit installers and will not load under Win 7-64. Express Tools for AutoCAD 2000 had this problem. With enough computer know-how it was possible to copy the files from a Win XP-32 machine to a Win 7-64 machine but I had to give up on getting it installed from the install disk.
New technology sucks. When you jump in, you'll get the unenvionable distinction of being a pioneer. If you survive the transition, you will be the "guru." That will earn you zero dollars but lots and lots of friends that need your free advice.
Do NOT do "cutting edge." Universities pay people to do that, but they still get a monthly salary regardless of their success. How much are you going to get paid while you get "acclimated" to the "new" technology?
FOLLOW the curve - don't be on the leading edge if you like eating on a regular basis.
Aw, shucks, Cliff. I do see you point. Another perspective, is to buy state-of-the-art stuff that is legally advertised to work a certain way. And if it won't, just force them to make it work like advertised. The alternative is to let them keep on putting stuff out there that should be in beta, or maybe alpha.
Got RAM?
After installing Win 7 32 on a machine with 16 gb of RAM, I sadly discovered that 13 gb was going to waste.
I read the forums and nobody had a fix; my IT guy was stumped.
My brother started telling me about a workaround to get Win 7 32 to read up to 16 gb of RAM but my Win 7 64 cd was already ordered. It sounded complex, but he's into complex computer stuff. If anyone is running Win 7 32 with more than 4gb of RAM, I would be happy to have my brother type out instructions to post. [email protected]
Simplest solution, order the 64 bit. I have CAD Map 06 running on it with a few minor bugs. A co-worker has IntelliCAD and seems to be doing well.
Got RAM?>Eldredge Computer
Thadd's new 64 bit computer..
