64-bit desktop due in April, says Microsoft

At last...

By Ina Fried, 2 March 2005 09:10

NEWS

Microsoft said it plans next month to offer long-awaited 64-bit versions of its Windows operating system.

Speaking at the Intel Developer Forum, Windows chief Jim Allchin said the desktop version of the souped-up Windows would come at the beginning of April, while the server version would come at the end of the month.

"We're locked on to 64-bit," Allchin said, encouraging developers to start tailoring their applications to include the ability to take advantage of the extra processing power.

Last month, Microsoft released a second, near-final "release candidate" version of the operating system. The company had promised a final release would come by the end of June.

The 64-bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 have been a long time coming, particularly for chipmaker AMD, which has offered such chips for roughly two years in the server market and 18 months in the desktop PC market.

Michael Kanellos and Ina Fried write for CNET News.com.

Comments

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  1. 1. John Small

    Apple has had 64 bit desktops for nearly two years.

    Glad to hear that Microsoft will be catching up soon!

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