3 ms·

Apple's done two successful architecture changes on their desktop OS (68k->PPC->x86). Microsoft's done none. Traditionally, MS has been very good at maintainin

Apple's done two successful architecture changes on their desktop OS (68k->PPC->x86). Microsoft's done none. Traditionally, MS has been very good at maintaining compatibility through different versions. Maybe they'd make an architecture change easily, but they haven't had to do so yet.

blinkingled 15y ago
They have always supported multiple architectures - Win NT ran on Alpha, CE had ARM port, they had IA64 version of Windows server. Technically x86 to x86-64 also is a architecture change and they sailed pretty well thru it given most shipping Windows version today is 64 bit.
- marshray 15y ago
  It's true! I even know someone who's seen a non-x86/64 Windows system!
  - blinkingled 15y ago
    I am sure it doesnt exist as you sir marshray havent seen it. I must have just woken up from a dream where Windows machines running on Itanium also ran Oracle database ported to Windows Itanium.
    - marshray 15y ago
      You know him too?! Sorry. I concede that there is a major application or three that runs on Itanium. For now. Microsoft is dropping the platform. As for ARM all I'm saying is we'll wait and see.