Intel processors has some lower cost 32-bit offerings still, but for the most part the good stuff is all 64-bit (even if many users are still clinging to 32-bit copies of Windows…). As for ARM? There isn’t much on the 64-bit front—yet. There is a 64-bit ARM processor in the works from AppliedMicro, but that’s about it. Luckily, ARM recently announced it is working on the Cortex-A57 and Cortex-A53, both of which are 64-bit ARMv8 processors. With the release of 64-bit ARM processors new doors will open as the RAM limitations (about 3 ½GB or so) will be lifted giving ARM tablets and phones more elbow room— if the operating systems build to use them are also 64-bit. With these new 64-bit processors not likely arriving until 2014, Apple, Google and Microsoft have time to get the ball rolling on 64-bit support and ARM is working directly with all its partners to ensure that the new processors support these major operating systems. ARM also directly mentions the existence of work on a Windows RT 64-Bit version that will take advantage of the 64-bit ARM processors in the future. ARM wouldn’t give us much details, other than to confirm it is in fact in the works. The 64-bit revolution has been somewhat slow in the x86/PC world, so it will be interesting to see how the mobile revolution goes. Either way, this is great news for those of us that dream of high-powered 64-bit smartphone with 8GB of RAM and more. A bit overkill now I know, but remember that there was a time when 8MB of RAM seemed pretty fast. [ source ]]]>
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I don’t know well the two compare – the 64 bit was slow to take on the PC side mostly because 1. the apps were 32 bit natively compiled although x86-64 resolved that, but still not many people had a good reason nor could afford to move to get a new CPU or more than 4GB at the time so there wasn’t much point, and 2. drivers, given the sheer number of PC device components installed out there, there was a considerable amount of effort to get new drivers out.
64 vs 32 gives you longer address lines (more memory) and longer CPU registers (more data can be processed per cycle) – regular apps not optimized for 64 are marginally faster. Now that could change if the app is “interpreted” (.Net, Java. WinRT) sitting on an interpreter that is optimized for 64bit, might be some advantage there.
Thanks for the news. Will be looking forward to it..Just imagine HD gaming and 3D acceleration with over 8 GB of Ram on an 64-bit smartphone would be damn cool. Hope the news get to be true soon.
I don’t think many of them would prefer a 64-bit Arm processors wasting some more money, as 32 bit is enough for business purposes expect for gamers it is the best.