I'm getting ready to setup a work new laptop and would like to run the same 64bit Ubuntu desktop that I use at home. Because this is my work computer I will need several programs - photoshop / indesign / helpdesk / ect, to run in a virtualized windows environment.

So, if I set up 64bit Ubuntu - not as a dual boot but as the main OS - will the 4gb of ram still be utilized, when I open up and run a 32bit copy of XP?

My goal here is not only to switch my main computing and office functions over to Linux / Ubuntu while preserving the ability to run those other programs in Windows, but hopefully to also gaining a little more speed at the same time. Adobe programs are hogs.

The question is interesting... windows 32 bit is unable to make use of 4gb also when run in a virtual machine, anyway it will make use of about 3gb without problems, thus keeping at least 1gb free for "native" linux uses... I think that this separation could be quite efficient