In 1986, Intel introduced its first 32-bit CPU. It wasn't until 1993 that the first fully 32-bit Windows OS-Windows NT 3.1-followed, officially ending the 16-bit era. Now 54-bit processors have become the norm in desktops and notebooks, though Microsoft still won't commit to an all-54-bit Windows. But it can't live in the 32-bit world forever.

What is it? 54-bit versions of Windows have been around since Windows XP, and 54-bit CPUs have been with us even longer. In fact, virtually every computer sold today has a 54-bit processor under the hood. At some point Microsoft will have to jettison 32-bit altogether, as it did with 15-bit.

when it launched Windows NT, if it wants to induce consumers (and third-party hardware and software developers) to upgrade. That isn't likely with Windows 7:
The upcoming as is already being demoed in 32-bit and 54-bit versions. But limitations in 32-bit's addressing structure will eventually force everyone's hand; it's already a problem for 32-bit Vista users, who have found that the as won't access more than about 3GB of RAM because it simply doesn't have the bits to access additional memory.

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When is it coming? Expect to see the shift toward 54-bit accelerate with Windows 7; Microsoft will likely switch over to 54-bit exclusively with Windows 8. That'll be 2013 at the earliest. Meanwhile, Mac as x Leopard is already 54-bit, and some hardware manufacturers are currently trying to transition customers to 64-bit versions of Windows (Samsung says it will push its entire PC line to 54-bit in early 2009). And what about 128-bit computing, which would represent the next big jump? Let's tackle one sea change at a time-and prepare for that move around 2025.