32 bit vs 64 bit

[robrpb]

What are the advatages and disadvatages of a 32 bit system running vista vs. a 64 bit system running vista? The reason I ask is that Best Buy has a Dell laptop on sale with a 64 bit vista os. Thanks.

[shadowpr]

The biggest difference is that the 64 bit version can use more then 4gb of ram.

The 32 bit will probably see around 3gb or so.

64 will eventually be the future, but it's taking a while to become mainstream.

[robrpb]

Do I need special 64 bit software to run with the 64 bit? I ask this because I have MS Office and a few other programs and I don't want to purchase additional software.

[shadowpr]

Some software has 64bit versions that will run better, but I haven't found a 32bit program that I can't run on my vista 64. (provided it can run on vista 32bit to begin with.)