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64bit version
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lifehacker.com/chrome-releases-faster-more-stable-64-bit-builds-for-w-1585324834
You can read couple of the reasons from that post. Basically, 64-bit allows the use of more memory, which is GOOD thing, especially if Vivaldi is getting memory-only cache at some point. Unused RAM is wasted RAM. Secondly, it is faster, since it can cache more stuff and use 64-bit specific build options and instructions. Google claims (same chromium engine is used on Vivaldi) about 25% increase in speed. Also security is improved especially windows 8, most of the tech-talk goes over my head, so here is the link: blogs.technet.com/b/srd/archive/2013/12/11/software-defense-mitigating-common-exploitation-techniques.aspx
Basically saying "why 64-bit?" is not relevant, the question should be "why support 10 years old-dated software type?". 64-bit is the future, and everyone should be using it 2015, no matter if you "understand" or "feel" the benefits, since most of them are under-the-hood kind of upgrades.
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The problem with those reasons is that these are what Google claims should happen, not what actually happens when using 64bit browser for your day-to-day needs.
See for example here for some real comparison of 32bit and 64bit Chromium: www.makeuseof.com/tag/chrome-64-bit-vs-32-bit-for-windows-is-64-bit-worth-installing/
Even in synthetic benchmarks, the speed difference is pretty negligible.
Also, the thing with "64bit allows the use of more memory" is really a non-issue with Chromium-based browsers, as they start each tab as a separate process, meaning that we're still pretty far from the point where we'd start running into memory limits with 32bit Chromium. Even though Chromium tends to gobble the memory like there's no tomorrow when you're using a few tabs and is very hesitant to release it back to other apps. But in that regard, the 64bit version is even worse. And while unused RAM is certainly wasted RAM, just the fact that it's "used" doesn't mean that it's used effectively.
Again, I'm certainly not against 64bit browsers on Windows and/or 64bit software in general when it makes sense (e.g. I most certainly want my RAW photo editor to be 64bit, since it needs loads of RAM and every bit of speed it can get helps), but the fact is there are no real reasons to go for 64bit when it comes to browsers. And saying it's "10 years old dated software" could even be considered to be a bit misleading, honestly.
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It is also my opinion that developing a 64-bit version is a waste of time, at least until Vivaldi is a mature product.
Although most of us may be using 64-bit OS, that's not true of everyone. Developing only a 64-bit version excludes some users, while developing both 32-bit and 64-bit versions in parallel divides development time.
The benefits of 64-bit for browsers is not the same as for other applications like Photo Editors. The speed of browsers has a lot more to do with processor speed than memory, and rendering of pages is highly dependent on the user's connection speed. Any small improvements due to having more RAM available would not translate to real-world use.
I have a 64-bit OS, and tried both 64-bit and 32-bit Opera 12.17. There is no difference, other than the 32-bit version being more stable, so that's what I use.
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At this point in the development, I totally agree that the effort needs to go into maturing the browser and fleshing out its feature set. There's virtually nothing a 64-bit version could offer that isn't possible in a 32-bit version, and 32-bit versions run fine on 64-bit systems. So in that sense, heavily pursuing a 64-bit version now would represent a diversion of effort from the main task of obtaining a stable, feature-rich, configurable browser. Once that milestone has been largely passed, development could branch out into other areas of platform compatibility. I write this as a Win7-64bit user.
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On my Win 8.1 machine (x64, 6-core 3.5GHz processor with 10 GB of RAM), and a nominal 8Mb connection, I am unable to tell any difference in performance between a 32-bit browser and a 64-bit one. 32 bit software runs perfectly on 64-bit systems which are, by necessity, backward-compatible.
On the other hand, for some silly reason my 32-Bit P4 Lubuntu box can't seem to run any 64-bit programs. At all. I don't know what's up with that…
Point is, if any additional platform support were to be added, I would kinda hope it would be something that would actually expand the number of machines on which Vivaldi would run - like so I could try it on my weak old HP tower, on which I loaded Lubuntu 14.04 to save it from obsolescence.
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WOW mister look at what I have…. Well I too run a 6 Core 3.5 Ghz CPU, 16GB Ram on a 25MB optical connection and that means nothing!
I've been running 64bit systems and Operating Systems since XP 64bit was released a million years ago.Since XP 64 bit was the future. .Back then 64bit was the most secure systems around because hackers and other A-holes used 32bit nasties.
I could not give a flying monkey about your argument for 32bit browsers. Most you guys are probably running illigal downloads of 32bit Xp and are to cheap to actually buy your software.The point is 32 bit is becoming obsolete and I wish windows 10 would see the end of 32bit. Not going to happen but I can dream. I'm already running windows 10 tech preview on my phone.
Get up with the times. 32bit is the old 16bit as was 16bit to 8bit. it's end IS coming!
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lol that's funny..
technology is one of the fastest moving things on earth.
6 months your hardware is superseded and outdated.Software is superseded every 12 months operating
systems are about every 4 years like the Olympics.32 bit software has almost gone with the Cavemen.
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lol that's funny..
technology is one of the fastest moving things on earth.
6 months your hardware is superseded and outdated.Really ? Explain it to the 2004 tablet I'm typing on. right-now. :lol:
Software is superseded every 12 months operating
systems are about every 4 years like the Olympics.32 bit software has almost gone with the Cavemen.
You are speaking by "motto" , but in four messages you haven't mentioned a SINGLE REAL ADVANTAGE of the 64 bit architecture (I did, for the record)
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Look I'd rather run software specifically designed for a 64bit OS.. It seems I need to spell that out for you lot.
this is from MS.
"If you have a choice of whether to install a 32-bit or 64-bit version of a program, always choose the 64-bit version if you're running a 64-bit version of Windows. Even though the 32-bit version should work with a 64-bit version of Windows, chances are the 64-bit version will perform better, since it was designed for a 64-bit version of Windows."
To me it's like paring ram.
Saying that, I never said they should not make a 32bit version as someone suggested I have. But the day will come where you 32bit lovers will have no choice than to make the change.
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Look I'd rather run software specifically designed for a 64bit OS.. It seems I need to spell that out for you lot.
this is from MS.
"If you have a choice of whether to install a 32-bit or 64-bit version of a program, always choose the 64-bit version if you're running a 64-bit version of Windows. Even though the 32-bit version should work with a 64-bit version of Windows, chances are the 64-bit version will perform better, since it was designed for a 64-bit version of Windows."
I asked if you had any clue about the 64 bit advantages, not if you are able to use google to find some promotional infos.
Looks like my first impression was correct: the short answer is: NO
It's enough for me, thanks.
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It makes no difference to me whether we get a 64bit version now or 2 years from now but I think there is a good reason to at least spend a little developer time on the 64bit version that no one has mentioned - it gets all the programmers in the right mindset. They know there'll be a 64bit version so they'll develop parts of Vivaldi with that in mind so when they do release a 64bit version all the parts are mostly there instead of requiring a complete rewrite. Having someone working on it now means all that trouble shooting can occur in the infant stages of the program as apposed to much later when it may be much more work.
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I could not give a flying monkey about your argument for 32bit browsers. Most you guys are probably running illigal downloads of 32bit Xp and are to cheap to actually buy your software.
LOL. I know I should ignore this, but I just have to ask…are you twelve?
Get up with the times. 32bit is the old 16bit as was 16bit to 8bit. it's end IS coming!
(To everyone else - I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist )
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The mention of the hardware and the connection was not meant to impress, but to show that a failure to demonstrate superiority of 64-bit browsing was not based on the equipment but, if anything, was because 8 MB connect speed can only do what it can do.
The rest of your comment is not worthy of response.
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I would too, but I don't think "why ?" is even an appropriate response to your request. 64bit browsers have many pluses that shouldn't need to be defended to a "premium member".
I think some of the member here think it should be all about them. They are stuck in the world of 32bit and think everyone else should be held back with them and not advance into the world of 64bit that has been around for at least 10 years now. I actually don't understand why the software developers are light years behind where things really are.
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Right now, Vivaldi is trying to get off the ground, which means it codes for the users that are out there now - with an eye to the future, of course. The world out there currently is populated by both 32-bit computers and 64-bit computers that will run 32-bit software. 5 years from now, things may indeed be different, but now is… well... 'now'. If you want to initially attract the largest segment of potential users, you make your software compatible with that segment's equipment - which, right now, means a 32-bit browser. Vivaldi, like any other company, has finite resources. At some point, they may elect to issue a 64-bit version... but right now, they need to focus their resources on getting the best-running browser they can into the hands of the greatest number of users, and that's what I believe they're trying to do.
edited: corrected company-name typo… thanks, @charm3d
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Right now, Vivaldi is trying to get off the ground, which means it codes for the users that are out there now - with an eye to the future, of course. The world out there currently is populated by both 32-bit computers and 64-bit computers that will run 32-bit software. 5 years from now, things may indeed be different, but now is… well... 'now'. If you want to initially attract the largest segment of potential users, you make your software compatible with that segment's equipment - which, right now, means a 32-bit browser. Opera, like any other company, has finite resources. At some point, they may elect to issue a 64-bit version... but right now, they need to focus their resources on getting the best-running browser they can into the hands of the greatest number of users, and that's what I believe they're trying to do.
Why bring up opera? They have a 64bit browser also.
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I think that was a slip of the keyboard. I believe Blackbird was talking about Vivaldi. We are 99% old Opera aficionados, here. It's an easy mistake to make - especially when the guys founding and writing Vivaldi are much the same crew in many instances as the ones who founded and wrote old Opera.
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I would too, but I don't think "why ?" is even an appropriate response to your request. 64bit browsers have many pluses that shouldn't need to be defended to a "premium member".
Can you name some of those "many pluses"? 'Cause, honestly, while I'm certainly not against the idea of a 64bit browser at all - even if it doesn't make sense for Vivaldi to spend time on making a 64bit version of their browser at this point - and I think the transition to full 64bit desktop is long overdue on Windows, I honestly fail to see much benefit. A 64bit browser can - under pretty specific circumstances, it needs to be pointed out - be somewhat faster. But that's about it. So what other "pluses" are there?
Because WE11 64 bit, Chrome 64 bit and Mozilla Nightly 64 bit are all much (much …) faster than their 32 bit counterparts on my computer?
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@RRR13:
Second of all, I think your impression about which is faster on your computer is exaggerated
It's called placebo effect