I'm comfortable with 64 bit windows and fully understand that not all softwares may always be available. Sometimes you gotta wait.

And sometimes those likable little programs you have become accustomed to like maybe an IEspell checker...you know what I mean the fancy little everyday tools we download and install... many of those just arent going to work at all or be available.
Hopefully windows say's AAAATTT, you cant do that when you accidentally try to install a 32 bit program.

I dont have anything with 64bit windows but looks like there can sometimes be some fiddling with 64 bit for different compatabilities when installing new stuff. So sometimes a bit of time/pain in neck.

!!!!
They both seem to be the same spec
other than 32 bit versus 64

and the extra gig of memory installed on 64. Which is nice but not a big thing. But more is always better.

Actually the 32bit graphic card has more memory,,, could actually be faster graphics use wise than the 64 bit as s sixtyfour bit is doing twice as much memory use and will be jumping into slower shared memory often... 64 bit graphic card has has half as much onboard graphics mem.

if that makes sense... '

they're both nice specs, coin toss would decide it for me if loosly.... somewhat the same price.

I'd be happy with either. Both will do graphics fine,,, the 64 bit should do video processing considerably faster but its been slowed down by a small amount of shared memeory,,, how much it slows it down ,, I dont know.

I'd speculate regular still graphics handling in photo shop or whatever you'll not notice any speed difference between 64 and 32 unless youre doing really big Hubble imaging or something similar.

The other advantage with 84bit is that if your new laptop has a max of 4GBs of memory, you will be able to utilize all 4GBs if you upgrade. With a 32bit OS, the max it will see is 3GBs

Make that 64 bit rather than 84.....lol

Thanks Mik and genes,

I think I shall go 32 and stay with being able to have goodies installed and without hassle.
There will be enough with just Vista? (Smiles)
I just thought the 64 was supposed to be something spectacular. Like in "speed".

I did find and downloaded Avast thinking I would save time by putting it on my thumbdrive to slip into the LT being I am on dial-up.
I want to try Avast to see how it is compared to AVG that I have on here.

Now the ONLY problem left which really has me worried (besides $$ and where to order) is what the display screen looks like. I have this fear of being a glossy reflective one! No Toshiba stores around here less than 75 miles away to see one in the flesh. I have to order sight unseen.
I purposely went to WM to look at a computer that has a shiny display only to make me sick at thinking the 305's will be like that. I saw BAD reflections and of the lights above.
I can't understand the reason behind making such.
I have been living through that struggle with my TV.
I have to have the shades pulled down cause it acts like a mirror! The sun shines at my wall to where I see it on the TV.
I should and could check with Radio Shack to see if they are ever going to get a Toshiba in as they only have one LT which is an Acer on display which also has the plagued reflective shiny screen.

Getting closer--------

Hugs,
Urlee

OH OH!!!!!!

I guess that takes care of THAT!!!!!!

Guide Review - Toshiba Satellite A305-S6845 Thin and Light Notebook
5/20/08 - The first thing that most people will notice is all the glossy surfaces on the Toshiba Satellite A305. From the exterior case cover to the keyboard, just about every surface has gloss. This Fusion surface will show fingerprints quite easily, but Toshiba has managed to create a surface that is surprisingly resistant to scratches. Of course, some might find using the glossy keyboard a bit annoying and the glossy LCD screen will have significant glare in certain lighting conditions.

urlee, I have a Toshiba laptop with the glossy screen and when I purchased it, I didn't even think of that feature maybe being a problem, so at first I was a little worried about it, but now after having it for a year and a half, I don't even notice the reflections and they are not a problem. Yes, you can see them,(like right now I can see part of the kitchen window reflected in the screen but it doesn't bother me), but I am happy with my choice! Just my two cents! :)

Hi Urlee,

I hope that things have improved now regarding the fitment of glossy / non-glossy screens on Toshiba laptops.

Last year, here in the U.K., I had to choose a new high spec laptop for myself and a budget model for my son-in-law to use at college. Despite comparing the exact same Toshiba model numbers and carefully studying the detailed specifications in catalogues, on seller's web sites and on Toshiba's multinational web sites, it was impossible to be certain which type of screen was actually fitted until you bought it and opened the box!

At that time it seemed that Toshiba were fitting whatever type they had in stock but were not, as is normally done, changing the model numbers slightly so that customers could be sure of exactly what they were buying.

So I was forced to change from Toshiba, my preferred manufacturer, to another. My son-in-law would have preferred a glossy screen but his Toshiba arrived with a non-glossy one that actually proved more suitable for his needs.

Having now used both types of screen, they each have good and bad points so neither is ideal. I am currently sitting here on a glorious sunny day with my window blinds completely closed just so that I can see my high spec glossy screen!

Colin

Mary and Bee, (Smiles)

I am trying to convince myself that there must be some good reason for that LCD's double duty as a "mirror"?
And so many people are buying the 305's that either they love the "stuffing" so much, they pay no attention to the "shell"?
I have to make up my mind if I want it bad enough to have to pull the shades each time I use it or go on "night shift"?
Why is there always something to spoil a good thing?
Course that may just be me. Others may feel differently.

Urlee