is calibre 64 bits for windows safe to use?

lumpynose · 03-29-2019, 04:59 PM

On the download page, https://www.calibre-ebook.com/download_windows the top link downloads the 32 bit version. If you copy the link and paste it into your browser's address box you can change the win32 to win64 and get the 64 bit version. The first link below that, location #1, gives you a list for the different platforms and from there you can select the 32 or 64 bit version. For location #2 you'll need to do more url fiddling to get to the proper github page where the different platforms and bit versions are available.

Anyhow, from the main windows download link one might get the impression that the 32 bit version is preferred?

Sirtel · 03-29-2019, 05:36 PM

The 64 bit is perfectly safe and you can get it from the main download page without any fiddling: https://calibre-ebook.com/download_windows64

Barbara1955 · 03-29-2019, 05:49 PM

I been using 64 bits since 2013....

lumpynose · 03-29-2019, 05:49 PM

Duh, I'm a bonehead. I just clicked that first Windows download link and didn't even look at the rest of them.

If Kovid is listening, for future boneheads like me, could you move the link for the 64 bit windows icon so it's next to the first one? Or make the 64 bit one first since there probably aren't many people using 32 bit Windows. Thanks.

BetterRed · 03-29-2019, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumpynose

Duh, I'm a bonehead. I just clicked that first Windows download link and didn't even look at the rest of them.

If Kovid is listening, for future boneheads like me, could you move the link for the 64 bit windows icon so it's next to the first one? Or make the 64 bit one first since there probably aren't many people using 32 bit Windows. Thanks.

That could result in millions of users who have been clicking the same icon (spatially) every couple of weeks for the past several years downloading what they don't want - a .dmg won't install in Windows anything Ψ³

BR

theducks · 03-29-2019, 06:43 PM

Somebody has to be on top

When the Download page was started, more folk had 32 bit machined (ME

, running XP), 9 years later I would guess some of those machines have been upgraded (ME

,W10)

There are advantages running 64 Bit.
If there wern't, I expect Kovid could save the effort and only build and test 32 bit versons

ilovejedd · 03-29-2019, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

That could result in millions of users who have been clicking the same icon (spatially) every couple of weeks for the past several years downloading what they don't want - a .dmg won't install in Windows anything Ψ³

I dunno. I do think it's quite logical to have both Windows versions next to each other so it's obvious.

Win Win64 Mac
Portable Linux

The ones who use Linux probably use a script anyway and are more inclined to read directions.

BetterRed · 03-29-2019, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

I dunno. I do think it's quite logical to have both Windows versions next to each other so it's obvious.

Win Win64 Mac
Portable Linux

The ones who use Linux probably use a script anyway and are more inclined to read directions.

I've just bookmarked the d/l links I use

BR

ilovejedd · 03-29-2019, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

I've just bookmarked the d/l links I use

Lol, I download the source as well so I go directly here: https://download.calibre-ebook.com/

Also handy in case the latest version has bugs.

lumpynose · 03-29-2019, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

That could result in millions of users who have been clicking the same icon (spatially) every couple of weeks for the past several years downloading what they don't want - a .dmg won't install in Windows anything Ψ³

BR

Ok, I have to ask; why would a person be downloading calibre every couple of weeks? I suppose if they've unchecked that box that says "Notify when a new version is available."

Anyhow, pointless arguing aside ...

I think that what could also be confusing is that the 32 bit Windows version simply says windows. I'm changing my suggestion; remove that big Windows 64 bit icon on the main download page, the one on the second row, and when you click on the first/Windows icon the next page has links for the 32 bit and 64 bit versions. Most sites that I've downloaded Windows stuff from have the 32 bit and 64 bit versions on the same page.

kovidgoyal · 03-29-2019, 10:22 PM

64bits is mainly useful if you have some large books that run out of memory during conversions. Otherwise use 32bits happily. And the calibre update notification takes you straight to the correct download page for 32 or 64 buts.

Quoth · 03-30-2019, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

64bits is mainly useful if you have some large books that run out of memory during conversions. Otherwise use 32bits happily. And the calibre update notification takes you straight to the correct download page for 32 or 64 buts.

Scary big book!
Anyway a lot of 64bit Atoms physically can only have 2G RAM (Usually these are shipped with 32bit Win10 but run 64bit linux fine).
32Bit Windows could use PAE to address 16G on NT 4.0, MS even crippled 32bit XP to have applications use 2G max even if 4G fitted, though there is a boot option to increase it to 2.5 G. (1st 64bit Windows was NT 4.0 for Alpha, then 1st 64bit XP was for Itanium, one of the shortest lived versions. x86-64 XP was later)

I have some older 32 bit CPU laptops that are faster than the newer "crippled" to 2G max 64 bit Atoms (an Intel decision, the CPU doesn't even output the higher addresses), I find it annoying that Waterfox and Viber are 64 bit only.

I do hope Koval continues to support Calibre on 32bit on Windows (some quite new 64 bit Atoms with Win10 32bit) and 32 bit on Linux (some older laptops & desktops easily able to have 4G RAM and faster than some new entry level machines).

I use Calibre on several computers, inc a netbook I take out. I don't usually take my main laptop out of the house.

HarryT · 04-02-2019, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrustratedReader

Scary big book!
Anyway a lot of 64bit Atoms physically can only have 2G RAM (Usually these are shipped with 32bit Win10 but run 64bit linux fine).
32Bit Windows could use PAE to address 16G on NT 4.0, MS even crippled 32bit XP to have applications use 2G max even if 4G fitted, though there is a boot option to increase it to 2.5 G. (1st 64bit Windows was NT 4.0 for Alpha, then 1st 64bit XP was for Itanium, one of the shortest lived versions. x86-64 XP was later)

I have some older 32 bit CPU laptops that are faster than the newer "crippled" to 2G max 64 bit Atoms (an Intel decision, the CPU doesn't even output the higher addresses), I find it annoying that Waterfox and Viber are 64 bit only.

I do hope Koval continues to support Calibre on 32bit on Windows (some quite new 64 bit Atoms with Win10 32bit) and 32 bit on Linux (some older laptops & desktops easily able to have 4G RAM and faster than some new entry level machines).

I use Calibre on several computers, inc a netbook I take out. I don't usually take my main laptop out of the house.

The amount of RAM you have doesn’t alter the fact that 64-bit Calibre is able to convert more complex books than 32-bit Calibre. Conversion will be much faster if you have more physical RAM, but it’ll get there eventually even if it has to swap out to disk. Note that it’s complexity rather than just size that determines when 32-bit Calibre will fail to convert with an “out of memory” error; I had it happen with some fairly modestly-sized books, particularly when converting to PDF. If you have a 64-bit o/s it’s well worth using 64-bit Calibre.

ownedbycats · 04-03-2019, 07:32 AM

Aside from the memory issues, running a 64-bit program on 64-bit architecture is just more efficient in general.

Quoth · 04-03-2019, 12:19 PM

However some 32bit older laptops are faster than some newer 64 bit laptops.
I never ever heard of a 32 bit program having ANY penalty other than addressable RAM and speed. I can't imagine why 64bit Calibre on an 64 OS with 64bit Atom and only 2G RAM max should be any different other than speed on a 32bit OS on an actually faster Centrino Duo with 4G of RAM. No matter if running Linux Mint or Windows. Some 64bit Atom Tablets are only shipped with 32bit Windows 10 because they have 2G RAM, but actually will run 64bit Linux, once you figure the 32bit EFI files.
You can't run a 64bit program on 32bit OS even if the CPU is 64 bit, though in that case a VM will allow a 64bit OS on the 32 bit host and in that case the 64 bit OS can access the 8 G of RAM even though the host 32 bit OS can only access 4G.

In any case I run 64 bit OS on 64 bit CPUs and then usually 64 bit and 32 bit programs as available. I have never had a problem with Calibre on 32 bit Windows or 32bit Linux (32 bit CPUs, except for the 32 bit Win 10 on a 64bit CPU tablet).

I can't imagine why 32bits vs 64 bits can be an issue for the application if there is enough RAM. I've never heard of such a thing. RAM and speed are the ONLY reasons for 64 bit x86-64 vs x86 and not all 64 bit CPUS are faster than the fastest 32 bit CPUs. Some 64 bit CPUs have rubbish graphics or HDD too.

Actually in some cases the 64bit x86-64 bit code is LESS efficient than 32bit code where all the data is 8, 16, 24 or 32 bits.

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03-29-2019, 04:59 PM	#1
lumpynose Wizard Posts: 1,086 Karma: 6719822 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Palm Pilot M105	is calibre 64 bits for windows safe to use? On the download page, https://www.calibre-ebook.com/download_windows the top link downloads the 32 bit version. If you copy the link and paste it into your browser's address box you can change the win32 to win64 and get the 64 bit version. The first link below that, location #1, gives you a list for the different platforms and from there you can select the 32 or 64 bit version. For location #2 you'll need to do more url fiddling to get to the proper github page where the different platforms and bit versions are available. Anyhow, from the main windows download link one might get the impression that the 32 bit version is preferred?

03-29-2019, 05:36 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,472 Karma: 239219543 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	The 64 bit is perfectly safe and you can get it from the main download page without any fiddling: https://calibre-ebook.com/download_windows64

03-29-2019, 05:49 PM	#3
Barbara1955 Non-Techy Posts: 4,455 Karma: 15499273 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: WV---USA Device: Samsung Cell Phone & Amazon Fires & Kobo eReaders	I been using 64 bits since 2013....

03-29-2019, 06:43 PM	#6
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,056 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Somebody has to be on top When the Download page was started, more folk had 32 bit machined (ME , running XP), 9 years later I would guess some of those machines have been upgraded (ME ,W10) There are advantages running 64 Bit. If there wern't, I expect Kovid could save the effort and only build and test 32 bit versons

03-29-2019, 10:22 PM	#11
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,349 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	64bits is mainly useful if you have some large books that run out of memory during conversions. Otherwise use 32bits happily. And the calibre update notification takes you straight to the correct download page for 32 or 64 buts.

04-03-2019, 07:32 AM	#14
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,974 Karma: 75337983 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	Aside from the memory issues, running a 64-bit program on 64-bit architecture is just more efficient in general.

04-03-2019, 12:19 PM	#15
Quoth Still reading Posts: 14,033 Karma: 105092227 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	However some 32bit older laptops are faster than some newer 64 bit laptops. I never ever heard of a 32 bit program having ANY penalty other than addressable RAM and speed. I can't imagine why 64bit Calibre on an 64 OS with 64bit Atom and only 2G RAM max should be any different other than speed on a 32bit OS on an actually faster Centrino Duo with 4G of RAM. No matter if running Linux Mint or Windows. Some 64bit Atom Tablets are only shipped with 32bit Windows 10 because they have 2G RAM, but actually will run 64bit Linux, once you figure the 32bit EFI files. You can't run a 64bit program on 32bit OS even if the CPU is 64 bit, though in that case a VM will allow a 64bit OS on the 32 bit host and in that case the 64 bit OS can access the 8 G of RAM even though the host 32 bit OS can only access 4G. In any case I run 64 bit OS on 64 bit CPUs and then usually 64 bit and 32 bit programs as available. I have never had a problem with Calibre on 32 bit Windows or 32bit Linux (32 bit CPUs, except for the 32 bit Win 10 on a 64bit CPU tablet). I can't imagine why 32bits vs 64 bits can be an issue for the application if there is enough RAM. I've never heard of such a thing. RAM and speed are the ONLY reasons for 64 bit x86-64 vs x86 and not all 64 bit CPUS are faster than the fastest 32 bit CPUs. Some 64 bit CPUs have rubbish graphics or HDD too. Actually in some cases the 64bit x86-64 bit code is LESS efficient than 32bit code where all the data is 8, 16, 24 or 32 bits.

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