From 32-bit to 64-bit?

I have upgraded to the Microsoft Office 2010 Beta today and installed an add-in called PowerPivot (was known as "Gemini"). Why do I have to trouble myself with a beta product, you may ask? Well, I am a SQL person but found that excel is such an easy tool for normal business users. Traditionally, I have been writing SQL statements and incorporate them into excel so that users can get the latest data (love the MS Query features for God knows how long...) On my end, once I have pulled what they need and then they can use the data for whatever they want to use them for, I am a happy camper ;-)

Now, I have to re-install my Windows 7 lappy though (from Win7 32-bit to Win7 64-bit). I just realized that although I have 5GB of RAM, and because I am going to need all the memory I could get (who complains when they are offered more memory, right?), I need to install 64-bit version. Do I really need to do this? Not really... but I want to do it anyway hehehe...

Anyway, let's leave the re-installation for this weekend. For now, I would want to try out the newly installed tools first :)

My initial assessment:

1. The user interface in Office 2010 is a bit different than Office 2007, but I think that it is easy to learn the navigations around the Office suites.

2. Installation of PowerPivot is simple.

3. After installing the add-in, Excel takes a bit longer to be launched. But, I find that it is weird when it tries to load an add-in with bluetooth (i wonder whether this is an excel thing or PowerPivot thing or just my lappy, hmmmm...)

4. The 2nd add-in (shown below) is even longer to be loaded compared to the rest of the other add-ins. This is actually for the PowerPivot...

5. Computer resources, especially memory, are high. So, it is a valid reason why I should move on to 64-bit (although I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the hardware drivers - hope all devices will still work)


Anyway, here's how Excel 2010 with PowerPivot looks like:

Ok, will try to give more feedback as I go along.

Till my next post, peace to all you models and mortals out there...