[kwlug-disc] [Phoronix] Ubuntu 32-bit, 32-bit PAE, 64-bit Kernel Benchmarks

[john at netdirect.ca]

kwlug-disc-bounces at kwlug.org wrote on 12/31/2009 12:04:30 PM:

> From: Lori Paniak <ldpaniak at fourpisolutions.com>

> Now that virtualization environments support 64-bit
> guests and many netbook-class CPUs are 64-bit, I am not sure how one
> makes the argument for 32-bit OS on new hardware (ex-basic netbooks).

Has enough changed since last year?

Last year I tried 64bit OpenSuse and had big problems with certain things. 
Namely add-ons to Firefox, but there was still a lot of other software 
that was 32 bit only. This meant I had to install all the 32 libraries 
eating up disk space. Call me lazy, but I like it when my desktop works 
without too much tinkering. Loading lots of libraries or re-compiling 
software that's only available in 32 bit packages is not worth the 
performance benefits I might see with 64 bit.

Until I need to squeeze all the performance out of my laptop, 64 bit 
software packages become ubiquitous, or there is some other compelling 
reason I need 64bit I'm sticking with 32 bit.

Servers on the other hand are different. Unlike personal computing they 
tend to be specific purpose and adapted to 64 bit. I also tend to get paid 
for that kind of work.


John Van Ostrand
Net Direct Inc.
 
CTO, co-CEO
564 Weber St. N. Unit 12
map
 
Waterloo, ON N2L 5C6
 
john at netdirect.ca
Ph: 866-883-1172
ext.5102
Linux Solutions / IBM Hardware
Fx: 519-883-8533