I'm using x64..........I have the best rationale you will ever hear - because the install path (C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office) is simpler/nicer
Oh, come on, Microsoft is sure of their 64-bit version, it is just that many other third-party software packages may still expect Microsoft Office applications to be 32-bit (that may include third-party add-ins for Microsoft Office or third-party programs capable of utilizing Microsoft Office controls)... so probably to avoid possible incompatibilities with them, Microsoft recommends the noobs to install the 32-bit version.Other than that, the 64-bit version has no issues. In fact, many software packages have add-ins that are already 64-bit, even if the core program is still 32-bit (which is the case of Adobe Acrobat, Nitro PDF, etc.).Theoretically... the 64-bit version could also be faster, as 64-bit code has access to a greater register file and does not need thunking (even if it does take up more memory, esp. CPU cache).I would say that the situation is very similar to Adobe Creative Suite programs (such as Photoshop, Illustrator,...) - you hardly ever run across an important and incompatible plugin. Most of those "32-bit-only" ones are usually abandoned and obsolete; you will almost always find a good 64-bit replacement.
Vymrdale, have you tried Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable? dopice.sk/4cU (Access the URI through the HTTP protocol; the lame system does not permit me to insert normal links yet.) But, obviously, what I wrote also applies to drivers (print drivers, database drivers,...). And that also applies to cases where there is some (object) VBA code - if it contains pointers (often typed as Long in 32-bit VBA, but required as LongPtr in 64-bit VBA), it is almost guaranteed to be incompatible.
Did you experience "Slow typing/erasing" in word 2013? With a 80-pages document it lags scrolling and typing. Googling it, I discovered a possible solution by disabling the hardware acceleration, but it didn't solve anything in the end. I opened up the task manager and scrolling the document makes word2013 use the 24-26% of the CPU... and I don't have a pentium III 800mhz, I have an i-5....
The OP was asking whether to install 32 or 64 bit Office. Rule of the thumb says - When in doubt, you can't really go wrong with 32 bit I searched the MS Office website and Googled long and hard before upgrading from Office 2007 in 2010. When I installed the 2007 version, this 32-64 bit debate wasn't as big as it is now. 32 was the default go-to for just 'bout everything if only for compatibility reasons P.S. - I'm a 'noob' myself in all humility. Just don't take myself seriously enough to go round calling others 'noobs' Arguably the greatest scientist of all time, Sir Isaac Newton said at age 80 - "I'm only a child picking up pebbles on the shore of a boundless ocean of knowledge."
I am actually working with a P&P manual in OPP2013 that is 358 pages long and am finding now issues with it. I wonder if you have an issue with not enough ram for 80 pages?
I run 32 bit because I have Office InfoPath 2007 installed, so that takes care of the decision for me. Otherwise, I don't know of any reason to go 64 bit. Of course, for most people, there also is no clear reason to go with 32 bit. It's more a matter of preference: 32 bit: Less disk space; no worries about compatibility with addons or previous versions of office if you need to install them later 64 bit: Runs natively, no need to worry about huge documents causing problems But if you're running 32 bit office, its not using 8GB.