Windows XP 64! I think not...

MS is very arrogant which is how a monopolistic company acts.

Well its BETA right now, it will be everywhere soon enough... Microshaft can be very annoying and I do feel your pain.

Agreed... The average user does not know that they have alternatives to the MS OS. This is what Billy wants, the average person has made him his fortune. MS has engrained themselves so deep into infrastructure at this point, they are making it very hard to use the alternatives without sacrificing in a big way.

If its RELEASE then that just blows me away , unreal.

PS, I love the part about how your 32bit version of XP will no longer be licensed!!! Bill, you suck a$$!!! Don't you got enough money!!!???

No they were given a horribly hard time about not wanting to bring a commercial product to market and the market demanded they do it. Ok so they say "yep we did it, but good luck getting it to run!"

Seriously not worth the effort, and the yields in terms of performance at least in games and common apps just isn't there. Wait till Longhorn or just live with regular XP.

$.02

1) It's been my understanding that Bill Gates isn't even in a decision making position within the MS heirarchy anymore.

2) The licensing term makes sense since they don't want you owning two copies of Windows for the price of one; otherwise you could continue using your Win32 on a second computer. However, this does not exclude the fact that a better policy could have been instituted. Something like you're allowed to keep both to a single PC, or you may continue using your Win32 for a trial period then you either have to uninstall the 64 bit or the 32 bit OS.

3) Look up the recent article(s) on Slashdot re: Microsoft's new buzz term for Windows: "It just works". Yeah, it's bullshit. But it helps to put this beta/release issue into perspective.

4) You pulled that out of your ass, Anemone. History has shown that Microsoft won't do anything it doesn't want to do. See #3.

Totally not true - perhaps a little history on the coming about of USB? MS doesn't do everything that people demand of it, heck then we'd have a safe secure windows that didn't cost a lot! But they do succumb to pressure on occasion, it just has to come from a lot of places

$.02

umm..i think the main complaint is that you cant just buy win xp 64 bit...
you have to first buy a normal one then upgrade to 64 bit... i dont think the jump will be that great performance wise... especially with dual cores coming out 128bit will be amazing though

Currently, the software is behind the hardware so we will have to wait until 64 bit applications are made and optimized to take full advantage of those processors. Right now only a few applications/games take advantage of all the power these processors provide. We will be seeing more 64 bit aware applications that take full advantage of the power these processors have in the near future.

And no, two 64 bit processors(or a dual core processor) do not make a system 128 bits. Technically it is still 64 bits but you have two processors(or cores) working together to increase performance. Quick example: two persons work faster than just one.

Just an FYI:

From M$ website https://microsoft.productorder.com/c...4/default.aspx

In order to be eligible to receive Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition, your computer must have been ordered between March 31, 2003 and July 31, 2005 with Microsoft Windows® XP Pro (32 Bit) preinstalled.

In addition, you must read and agree to the following:

By participating in this program, your 32-bit version of Windows® XP Professional will no longer be licensed. (meaning that the bundled OS that came with your system or the WXP OS that you bought separately will no longer be valid)

The installation of Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition requires you to format your hard drive. You must back up your files and settings prior to the installation or they will be erased. Microsoft is not liable for any loss of data as a result of this installation. (Backup or else!!!).

Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition requires 64-bit hardware drivers (32-bit drivers are not supported). Drivers for 64-bit Windows are created at the discretion of hardware manufacturers and may not be available for some of your hardware components. (you require 64 bit drivers to run the peripherals/hardware installed on your system, if you only have 32 bit drivers they will not work on WXP 64, wait until the hardware manufacturer for any device that you may have releases a 64 bit driver).

For the purposes of the End User License Agreement for your existing Windows® XP Pro (32 Bit) software, your installation of this software will be an “Upgrade.” (yes, you’re purchasing an "upgrade").

The installation of Windows® XP Professional x64 Editions will void any support with your PC manufacturer. One free support call will be provided by Microsoft for any installation-related issues. Additional calls to Microsoft support will be available on a pay-per-incident basis. (OEM manufacturers will not support this new OS, Microsoft will provide you with one free support call, if you need further support they will help you in a pay-per-incident basis, meaning that you have to pay $99 online, $180 by phone and a generous $600 for a package of 5 incidents)

Cost for shipping and handling of upgrade is $12.00 USD for domestic shipments and $22.00 USD for International shipments plus any applicable taxes. (yes, you pay for shipping)

I think I'll pass on that

Not to be a party pooper here...

"Since many of our partners are taking part in this program, you should check with your PC manufacturer to see if they support the exchange on your x64 computer. If they support the program, your PC manufacturer will be able to provide you with a CD that includes all of the right drivers and software specific to your computer."

As this is primarily a notebook oriented forum, I assume that most of the people bought their laptops from a manufacturer pre-built.

Thus - shouldn't you be pushing the manufacturer to support the system before you blame everything on Microsoft?

Personally, I know Dell has XP 64-bit installed on some of their Precision Workstation 370's (Intel EM64T), so at least Dell will support it.

I don't think I will be pushing 64 bit any time soon in any of my current systems. I got more then what is listed in my sig that could be upgrade, but I don't currently think it is worth it. Maybe later.