64bit Windows Ships!

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Yesterday Tiger, today Windows XP 64. Yup, three YEARS after AMD designed processors capable of 64bit computing, Microsoft has come up with software to take advantage of it. Funny, I would have thought the hardware was the harder part of the equation?

Not all of us can rejoice either, since it appears only OEMs and upgraders (those who bought a new PC within the last two years with Windows XP Professional pre-installed) can get their mitts on the new software for now. Sounds a little like the Masons to us: if you’re not in the special club you can’t get in. No word yet on when/if there will be Windows XP 64 boxes in shops. My own private suspicion is that Microsoft is simply using this release as a tie over to sate public demand until Longhorn arrives next year.

Also worth bearing in mind is whether all your hardware and software essentials have 64bit drivers available for them. Have a peruse first…

If you do decide to take the plunge, skip on over here and follow the appropriate manufacturer shortcut (only Alienware, Dell, HP and IBM are listed so far) or upgrade links where you’ll be asked for the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and Product ID of your existing Windows XP installation (to verify you qualify) as seen below.

I know, I know: MS said XP 64 would be a free download, but at the moment it seems that comes with quite a few caveats. Did we really expect it any other way?

Link:
Microsoft Windows XP 64 Homepage

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