If you intend to use the machine for music recording work, do your web study and research carefully about whatever Sound Device you intend to use. Make sure that there are drivers for Win7 for that device, make sure that the drivers are stated as being written for the 32 or 64 bit. I would go with the 32 bit right now also, as there seems to be more device -- and program -- compatability with it at the moment. -- Especially if you want to use freebies like plugins, etc. as they are mostly all 32 bit anyway. For example, the VSC MIDI synth that ships with BIAB works on 32 bit but does not work on 64 bit. There are MANY other examples out there. Most of those freebie VST and VSTi plugins are 32 bit. Sure, there are some "wrappers" to be found that purport to allow use of them on the 64 bit system, but why have that extra layer of complication?

--Mac