Advantages And Disadvantages Of 64 Bit Systems?

I am looking at buying a 64 bit laptop for when I go back to school , any ways I was wondering what are the advantages/disadvantages of running a 64 bit version of SUSE? Also any thing special that I need to look for before I fork over the money for it aka certain hardware I need to stay away from because this would be my first 64 bit computer?

Pros:
Faster, but mainly with some number intensive apps.

Cons:
Drivers and combining some programs (like 64bit Firefox and Flash)

You need to make sure you have a 64bit driver for every piece of hardware.

My PC is 64bit but I use 32bit Suse.

Think Jop covered it, I've used both, guess it comes down to the use of your PC, if you like bleeding edge, then expect more problems.

As an example I believe for a little while ntfs-3g/fuse had a couple of issue with 64bit(This maybe fixed now).

On drivers I had no problem but I may of been lucky. Firefox as far as I'm aware is 64bit on Suse 10.2 though I thought I recall it being 32bit on 10.1. Once that's solved I've encountered the odd media codec that can't be run. Due to lack of w32 codecs though you do have 64bit codecs at mplayer, can't vouch for them as I've never really tested them.

I'm not choosy speed increase seems to be minimal, on normal Desktop use. Once firefox is 32bit and even without codecs I find most of the usual ones do play, as mplayer and vlc support them natively.

Should Suse end up back on the 64bit then I'd just install 64bit only because I haven't found a way to choose during a net install. Am I for 64bit not really, neither am I against it. I can't really say that after firefox and w32 codecs that I've really encountered any real problems, certainly no show stoppers.

Though were I to look at ntfs-3g I may do some research to make sure it would run on the 64bit OS now.

You can't go wrong with a 64-bit system and almost all new systems available in the market today are 64-bit capable. ntfs-3g/fuse works without glitch.

There is no con today, and if tomorrow is a better day which is really today as tomorrow never comes then you should be fine with a 64-bit system.

There are good arguments on this server, thats why am not getting into it now. Go for it!

Well I was about to say that I really don't care for the speed my 32 bit SUSE runs fast enough for me, the only time it is slow is when YaST is running SuSEconfig. It looks like I will be entering the 64bit version of the world, thanks to the help

I'd say no matter what version you install now, get a 64bit processor.
It'll last longer.

I didn't think a 64bit processor lasted longer than a 32, thats interesting to know.

It'll last longer from a technological pov.

I have just got a new Pentium D950 from Intel because the original one was broken from the first day, sooo, no, they don't last physically longer.

quite honestly, am not familiar at this point with the architect and design of a 64-bit processor/system that would make it last longer than its predecessor, but i do know 64-bit is where the feature is leaning now.I guess it would last longer then in the sense of flexibility.

Right.
A processor can last for ever, any cpu, as long as it is kept cool.
I have a couple Z80 around that still work, of course those never warmed up.

What I meant is that one day, it will still take some time, 64bit will be the arch used everywhere and 32bit will be something of the past, just like 8bit and 16bit are.
The thing is that every step up in the architecture takes exponentially (fmpov) longer than the previous due to the increase in sold cpus/systems and software created for them.