Benno, read this:

Microsoft Broadens Commitment to 64-Bit Windows

Windows Fully Compatible With New Intel Processors With 64-Bit Extensions

SAN FRANCISCO -- Feb. 17, 2004 -- Microsoft Corp. today announced at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco that its Windows® operating systems for 64-bit extended systems will be fully compatible with Intel Corp.’s newly announced processors with 64-bit extension technology. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer encouraged testers, developers and hardware manufacturers to prepare to take advantage of Windows for 64-bit extended systems, saying Microsoft had released its latest Windows to 5,000 members of its technical beta community. The 64-bit extended systems versions of Windows Server™ 2003 and Windows XP provide customers with the versatility to run both 32-bit and 64-bit applications, enabling them to move to 64-bit computing at their own pace while preserving their current investment in 32-bit applications.

"Microsoft’s and Intel’s leadership continues to deliver powerful, cost-effective, 64-bit computing to the broad IT market," said Jim Allchin, group vice president of the Platforms Group at Microsoft. "Windows for 64-bit extended systems unlocks powerful new 64-bit processing capabilities while preserving the value of customer’s 32-bit application investments."

With 64-bit computing, customers see significant performance and scalability gains in applications that require large amounts of memory or intensive numeric calculations. For server applications, this includes database servers, Terminal Server deployments, business applications and technical computing. Desktop applications include digital content creation, computer-aided design/manufacturing, and professional video editing.

Microsoft plans to make Windows XP 64-Bit Edition for 64-Bit Extended Systems and Windows Server 2003 for 64-Bit Extended Systems, which are currently in beta, available in the second half of 2004. Customers and industry partners will hear more about Windows for 64-bit extended systems at Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) and Tech Ed 2004.

Further information about 64-bit computing on Windows is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/64bit/default.mspx and at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/default.asp.