First Apple computer... EVER (MacBook Pro 15 Core i7)

[wildhawker]

Looks like it's 32bit only. Downside, should I look at moving to 64 bit while this is fresh? Thanks for the tip!

-Brandon

Not sure if your MacBook supports 64 bit mode, but if so: hold down the "6" and the "4" key while starting up you will boot into 64 bit mode. I believe it defaults to 32 bit mode. You can check what mode it is in by:

1. apple menu
2. about this mac
3. more info
4. select "Software" from the list on the left.
You will see: 64-bit Kernel and Extensions : Yes or No

http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/checking_32_or_64-bit_kernel_boot_mode_in_snow_leopard/

http://www.ihackintosh.com/2009/08/snow-leopard-106-and-64-bit-what-you-need-to-know/

[wildhawker]

If the new MB Air had the backlit keyboard, I may have gone that direction and repaired the Lenovo, as it's still capable of most anything I need. However, the backlit on the MBP and the screen are awesome for night work (which I do often, as some night-owls know).

-Brandon

There are a lot of things that bug me about the UI of OS X, but Apple's current lineup of hardware is just pure ****ing industrial-chic awesome. FWIW I use pretty much everything...(mac, win, couple of different linux distros)...at home.

The previous (original) macbook air was about as perfect a travel laptop as could ever exist. The newer gen (which I am typing on now) doesn't have the backlit keyboard, which is a shame because it was one of the features that set it apart from the pack.

When it came out, I more actively avoided OS X because the UI was sluggish compared to Windows, however that's just not true any more. Win7 and Vista have all kinds of sluggish built-in to the UI these days.

--Neill

[Flyliner]

Looks like it's 32bit only. Downside, should I look at moving to 64 bit while this is fresh? Thanks for the tip!

-Brandon

Hmm, I thought the i7 was 64 bit. The MBP i7 might be one of those they dont let run in 64bit. Did you startup with the "64" keys, then check the "64-bit Kernel and Extensions"? If you did start with the "64" keys held till its started up, then you should see "yes", meaning it is in 64 bit mode. If it says "no" then its still in 32 bit mode.


Anyway, the 64 bit capability if completely up to you. If you do full-time heavy graphics/layout/3D/video you might want it. If you mostly email, surf, etc.. it might not be a priority. I do full time heavy graphics at work, and default my mac to 64bit and it make a noticeable difference. One thing I need to make clear, your software needs to be capable of running in 64 bit to take advantage of it. If not, your software will run in 32bit even though your machine is running in 64 bit.

Congrats on the convert! Next task, start learning the Terminal

[JDay]

Looks like it's 32bit only. Downside, should I look at moving to 64 bit while this is fresh? Thanks for the tip!

-Brandon

Your system is 64bit, all new personal computers are.

Hmm, I thought the i7 was 64 bit.

Yep.

[Librarian]

My Macbook Pro System Profiler pane shows extensions: all but a couple are 64 bit; Applications, many 'Universal' are not 64 bit, and PowerPC apps are not - the last column is the listing, and the display is sortable on that.

[Ed_in_Sac]

Every Mac with a core two intel processor or greater is 64 bit capable. The Snow Leopard OS runs the core at 64 bit but will still run older 32 bit apps.

In short...yours is a 64 bit computer!

[hcbr]

yes most of them are 64 bit capable.

[chesterthehero]

one to move
two to scroll / two to view
three to jump
four to hide

you will never go back and if you do you will hate it

[wildhawker]

Every Mac with a core two intel processor or greater is 64 bit capable. The Snow Leopard OS runs the core at 64 bit but will still run older 32 bit apps.

In short...yours is a 64 bit computer!

Why doesn't Apple boot OS X in 64 bit mode by default?

[akoba]

I try using OSX on eee pc with iDeneb before i decided to buy a real mac. I still use my netbook once in a while when my daughter is watching movie on my mac. Now my netbook is sitting in the corner and use it with my magicjack.

[Zorrm]

I think this about sums things up.

[Ed_in_Sac]

Why doesn't Apple boot OS X in 64 bit mode by default?

First off, don't be lead into believing that the only worthwhile mode is 64 bit. Windows also has the same problem, that being compatibility with apps that are not 64 bit. Apple chose the best setting to allow you to run everything and to do it well....that is what their products are all about.

In the "alternate universe" as I like to call it: the Windows nerds think that getting the absolute fastest processor, most memory and video is the only way to run. Problem is hardware is only part of the equation when building a computer. IMO, the windows Os is just not that slick and stable...many would agree with me. It is easily slowed by its verbose design, necessary virus software, and poorly written apps....something I just don't find with Apple. You can spend much more time just getting everything running together on a Windows top end machine than you save with the latest and greatest hardware, at least for home use.

Probably someday everything will be 64 bit, fortunately you overall computer speed is determined by many other factors than just what mode the processor is in.

This is an older article, but answers your question pretty well:

http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/checking_32_or_64-bit_kernel_boot_mode_in_snow_leopard/

[2Bear]

I may have gone that direction and repaired the Lenovo, as it's still capable of most anything I need.

But it could be sexier...

Run OS X on that Lenovo!

Search:

Snow Leopard Intel AMD tor

[JDay]

Why doesn't Apple boot OS X in 64 bit mode by default?

They do on some systems, it doesn't make sense that OS X does not boot into 64bit mode by default on all systems though.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3770

Summary
Learn which Macs can use the 64-bit kernel in Mac OS X v10.6 and which use it by default.

Products Affected
Xserve (Early 2008), MacBook Pro, Mac OS X Server 10.6, iMac, Mac OS X 10.6, Mac mini Server (Mid 2010), Mac Pro (Mid 2010), Xserve (Early 2009)
This Mac uses the 64-bit kernel by default in Mac OS X v10.6.

Mac Pro (Mid 2010)
These Macs use the 64-bit kernel by default in Mac OS X Server v10.6 (they can also use the 64-bit kernel in Mac OS X v10.6, but do not use it by default).

Xserve (Early 2008) and later
Mac Pro (Early 2008) and later
Mac mini (Mid 2010)
These Macs support the 64-bit kernel, but do not use it by default.

iMac (Early 2008) and later
MacBook Pro (Early 2008) and later
Additional Information
You can see which kernel you are using in System Profiler:

Choose About This Mac from the Apple () menu.
Click More Info.
Select Software in the Contents pane.
Look for "64-bit Kernel and Extensions: Yes (or No)" under the System Software Overview heading.

If you want to ensure that your Mac boots into 64bit mode every time follow these instructions.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3773

Method 2: On-disk setting (persistent)

To select the 64-bit kernel for the current startup disk, use the following command in Terminal:

sudo systemsetup -setkernelbootarchitecture x86_64

To select the 32-bit kernel for the current startup disk, use the following command in Terminal:

sudo systemsetup -setkernelbootarchitecture i386

Note: This setting is stored in the /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist file and will take effect every time you start up from this disk. If you start up from a different disk, the setting on that disk, or the hardware default, will take effect.

[StoneThrower]

Welcome to the family!