advice on buying a laptop

Hello

looking for a laptop, netbook etc....for my wife, for general browsing and basic office work....needs to be 32bit to run money matters.....

only other criteria is it must be light as possible....not a glossy screen.....would like something reliable also

not sure if new new machines still come as 32 bit or if 2nd hand, CEX might be a better choice as it comes with a one year guarantee...

thanks in advance

Most of the major vendors -- Lenovo, Dell, HP and so forth -- operate refurbished sales outlets to the public. You can find killer deals on one- to two-year old laptops and such there, usually at about a 50% discount off their "new" pricing. That's where I'd suggest looking, as well as on local advert sites, at local dealers, and so forth. If you're not buying "new new" as you put it, you can really save some serious money...
HTH,

32bit applications should run fine on a 64 bit system.

32bit applications should run fine on a 64 bit system.

This is a problem I have with money matters, it will not run on Windows 10 64bit but ok on W10 32 bit....if there is a way I would truly love to know....
thanks

How old is said program? Reason I ask is 16 bit software won't run on 64 bit Windows, but will run on 32 bit Windows.

Even if the PC comes with 64 bit Windows 10, you can reinstall the 32 bit version with the same product code or Digital License. Keys are version specific, Home, Pro etc, but not edition specific. They are good for 32 bit or 64 bit.

I've run into applications that won't run on 64 bit due to hard coded conditions in the applications. You can try and bypass these by right clicking the application and select "Troubleshoot Compatibility" Windows will try and locate and apply a code shim to patch around the issue.

How old is said program? Reason I ask is 16 bit software won't run on 64 bit Windows, but will run on 32 bit Windows.

Even if the PC comes with 64 bit Windows 10, you can reinstall the 32 bit version with the same product code or Digital License. Keys are version specific, Home, Pro etc, but not edition specific. They are good for 32 bit or 64 bit.

thanks, does this apply to OEM systems also ?......when a product key is not given....

I've run into applications that won't run on 64 bit due to hard coded conditions in the applications. You can try and bypass these by right clicking the application and select "Troubleshoot Compatibility" Windows will try and locate and apply a code shim to patch around the issue.

Thanks but tried all the compatibility and trouble shooting steps....only way it worked was with a virtual XP OS

thanks, does this apply to OEM systems also ?......when a product key is not given....

Windows 10 OEM systems have the product key embedded in the BIOS. The install media you get via the Media Creation Tool will read and use it automatically. That embedded key is also god for 32 bit or 64 bit installs.

This is a problem I have with money matters, it will not run on Windows 10 64bit but ok on W10 32 bit....if there is a way I would truly love to know....
thanks

Hi there
@reddwarf4ever

You most certainly could run the application in a Windows VM -- would probably even run on XP or possibly even Windows 98 which would take a Miniscule amount of resources when used as a Virtual Machine.

If you do use Windows 98 Generic key is VP9VV-VJW7Q-MHY6W-JK47R-M2KGJ

For XP / W7 serials you have to use your own ones.

For using VM probably the easiest for you is to have W7 - X64 as the OS with XPmode for running the software.

BTW you are 100% correct about not wanting glossy screens --they are a PIG out of doors and in bright light with reflections all over the place -- a decent matte (non glossy screen) is ideal - especially if you are doing a lot of "Officy" type stuff and not merely browsing the web.



Cheers
jimbo