Hi, I'm new here. I haven't even really used Corel DRAW yet.
We just ordered a laser engraver. Now the next step for me is to order a dedicated PC and Corel DRAW, which seems to be quite a standard software to design and format engravings. I'm actually training on the trial version these days.
My question is : should we get the 32-bits or 64-bits version of Windows 7 ? Is there any reason we should choose one over the other to optimize the use of Corel X5?
I believe most laser engraver drivers still run on 32-bits, so I'm leaning in that direction. I'd appreciate if someone more up to date could tell me the status of X5 in this respect.
Thanks!
CorelDRAW X5 suite is still a 32 bit application.
If the new system that you are purchasing, will be used only for the engraver, then Win7 - 32 bit is fine, especially if you are not able to find Win 7 - 64 bit drivers for it. On the other hand, if the new system will be used for more than just the engraver, you may want to revisit your engraver purchase or think about using another means to drive the engraver (using a Virtual Machine with a 32 bit Windows, running under a 64 bit windows 7, or another, older PC that is just an interface to the engraver.)
As for the future, I do not know, nor does anyone on this forum, outside of Corel, (and they are not talking about it) when CorelDRAW will be 64 bit, assuming that it will be 64 bit, someday. Anyway, the current 64 bit Windows will run 32 bit applications, just fine.
So, choosing between 32 bit and 64 bit, is a toss up, at this point. I would recommend that you purchase 64 - bit hardware (64 bit, multi-core CPU) and such and install a 32 bit Windows 7 O/S. That way, if you choose, later, to run with 64 bit system, you have to change only the Windows O/S to a 64 bit version.
Hugh Johnson said: CorelDRAW X5 suite is still a 32 bit application.
Yes, and most of the application software for other devices works better on 32-bits than 64, and sometimes there's not a 64 bits of some drivers. There's no any advantadge to the use of 64 bits for CorelDRAW. and you will be sure that X5 will works fine under Windows 7 32-bits.
Ariel said:Yes, and most of the application software for other devices works better on 32-bits than 64, and sometimes there's not a 64 bits of some drivers. There's no any advantadge to the use of 64 bits for CorelDRAW. and you will be sure that X5 will works fine under Windows 7 32-bits.
I completely disagree! As will the others here using Win 7 64. You may as well say that a 25 metre pool should be used for the Olympics because the turns don't matter. I've NEVER had a better Windows or Corel experience than since I moved to Win 7 64. I'm using 64bit Ghostscript, Photoshop, Firefox, Fast Picture Viewer... it doesn't matter if the relationship between Corel and these other products is tight like with Ghostscript or non-material as with Photoshop. It just all works as if there is no seams between them. What you get is the ability to add more RAM > run more concurrent applications, fully use the features of the processor, have better cache of files etc.
I would say if your computer doesn't support Win 7 64 and can't take at least 8Gb of RAM throw it in the bin and get a new one.
I think Windows 7 is so stable and reliable that it runs beautifully in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavours. I have 3 computers running W7, two of them are running 32-bit and the other 64-bit. The 32-bit computers are a cheapy dual core Celeron laptop and a respectable Core2Duo desktop. The 64-bit is a Core i5 and it runs rings around the others when anything demanding comes along, but there is less difference for general navigation, opening of files and programs,etc.
I have been putting it off, but I will reinstall the Core2Duo desktop with 64-bit W7 (included on the installation disk along with the 32-bit version) just to see how much difference, it makes, if any. The biggest advantage, of course, is the access to much more RAM. Even if any single application does not get this benefit, open several and the benefit is clear.
As Yani said, you have to look to the future. As long as your devices are supported with 64-bit drivers then install 64-bit. Photoshop is already 64-bit and many more will follow sooner than you think. Why need to change over again when it becomes a necessity to be on 64-bit? You may as well do it now.
Best regards,Brian.
Yani said:I completely disagree
But what if there is not 64 bit driver available for his device? That's the big 32 bit verses 64 bit question for engravers.
Find me these suspect drivers and I'll test them. Weird drivers for engraving machines wasn't the question but if it were me I'd just put a dumb old box in as a server for those devices.
I agree with Brain all version of Win 7 are good.