Major Wrote:The tablets have 64-bit CPUs and are compatible with 64-bit Windows, but they ship with 32-bit Windows because it let's them get away with less ram. 64-bit Windows does not run well on 2GB of ram (take it from experience) but 32-bit Windows does. Basically, it's a cost thing.
This is the correct answer. 4GB takes up a lot of space unless you use very high density ICs. Which are still fairly pricey.
The chipset might also not support 64 bit as was the case for early netbooks with 64 bit cpus. But I suspect it does. Drivers are a non issue. Even if they don't exist that's only because they have no reason to make them if a 64 bit OS isn't going to be used by the OEM. Considering the desktop/nettop bay trail platform uses pretty much the exact same hardware Intel probably already has 64 bit drivers for the wifi module, gpu, and everything else anyways. If they don't they could easily make them in a heartbeat if any OEMs asked for them. This makes memory limitations the most likely culprit. Especially since we saw OEMs do the same thing back when netbooks and low end laptops only had 2GB of ram.
"Normally if given a choice between doing something and nothing, I’d choose to do nothing. But I would do something if it helps someone else do nothing. I’d work all night if it meant nothing got done."
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"I shall be a good politician, even if it kills me. Or if it kills anyone else for that matter. "
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-Ron Swanson
"I shall be a good politician, even if it kills me. Or if it kills anyone else for that matter. "
-Mark Antony