32 or 64 bit?

[pmhauge]

I'm running Ubuntu on a Dell 300m. How do I know if I can install the 64 bit version of 8.10 or Jaunty? What is the advantage of going with the 64 bit version?

[tommcd]

What kind of CPU is in the Dell? If it is an Intel core 2 duo or AMD Athlon64 or Phenom then it can run 64bit. However, I would recommend 32 bit Ubuntu, especially if you are new to linux. There still are some apps and drivers that may not work as well on 64 bit linux. So 32 bit Ubuntu will be a simpler, more trouble free, and fail-safe installation.
Unless you have 4 GB or more of RAM there is no compelling reason to need a 64 bit operating system in my opinion.
I would download the 32 bit Ubuntu 8.10 and learn on that, then upgrade (or do a clean install like I do) to 9.04 when it comes out next month.

I have a 64 bit AMD CPU and I have always run 32 bit Ubuntu.

[Yashiro]

Use the 32bit version on a 300M.