14 DAY TRIAL // You might be aware of the fact that most Windows 8.1 tablet today run in 32-bit mode, despite having a 64-bit processor, but that will change pretty soon.
According to sources familiar with the matter reported by CNET 64-bit Windows 8.1 tablet models are finally going to make at debut at MWC in Spain, as at least one brand vendor is expected to unveil such a product during the Conference.
At the moment HP, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung all offer Windows 8.1 tablets based on Intel quad-core Atom processors (Bay Trail) that run in 32-bit mode. But why is that?
The main reason users go for 64-installation of the OS is to be able to take advantage of more than 4GB of RAM, which isn't really an issue for tablets, because not a lot of them tend to pack more than 2GB.
Nevertheless, Nathan Brookwood, principal analyst for Insight 64, claims there’s a demand for such tablets, coming via IT organizations, as they are looking to standardize on 64-bit images and 64-bit apps.
However, we should note the first wave of Bay Trail devices was targeted at regular consumers, but that’s expected to change with upcoming batches, which will be destined towards the business crowd.
Dell already confirmed for the publication that it would add 64-bit OS support to its already popular line of Bay Trail-based Venue 8 Pro and Venue 11 Pro tablets somewhere later this year. Moreover, Microsoft confirmed as well that several 64-bit models were going to be unveiled soon enough.
Even though two of the Venue 11 Pro models could be compatible with 64-bit Windows, this has been achieved by slipping a Haswell processor under the hood, which is typically used in laptops. This resulted into a bulkier device compared to its Bay Trail-powered counterparts. On top of that, Haswell tablets tend to come with chunkier price-tag too.
So which of the major brand vendors is going to pull the veil off the first 64-bit Windows 8 tablet at MWC?