[SOLVED] Which version 32-bit or 64-bit for new install?

I've used slackware as a desktop os for a long time. I'm just a desktop user --not a developer. I've looked for a thread that discusses 32-bit vs 64-bit versions but couldn't find any. I usually install my slackware on a 7 year old lenevo laptop. My question is whether I should use the 32-bit version or the 64-bit version? Given the age of the laptop, I'm leaning toward the 32-bit version since 14.2 32-bit has been working fine so far. Am I missing something by not installing the 64-bit version when the new slackware release comes around?

If your hardware supports 64 bit, I would go with 64 bit. 64 bit supports more memory than 32 and if Slackware drops 32 bit support, you are done at that point. There are arguments about 32 vice 64 (in support of 32) but IMHO, these are nonsense. If your hardware is 32 bit, you have no choice.

If you have 4GB of RAM or less, then the additional address space of 64 bit is not an issue. One argument for 32 bit is that the compiled size of programs is less than for the 64 bit equivalent.
However 32 bit is now a legacy architecture. There have been reports of issues with 32 bit kernels, that do not occur on 64 bit kernels, which I suspect reflects less complete testing.
For example, LibreOffice would not start on 32 bit due to a stack gap issue,
and
resume from hibernate not working due to a clash with kaslr.
So, I am with @sevendogsbsd, "If your hardware supports 64 bit, I would go with 64 bit."

Good points allend: had not thought about the < 4GB memory situation and also the compiled app size: folks may have limited disk space. I have operated with large amounts of ram and disk space for so long I tend to forget these things.

If yours is a 64bit computer, even with only a couple of GB of ram, use the 64bit version.

(I use 64bit O/S on my netbooks, with only 2GB ram, quite happily.)

Thanks everyone for your reply.

Originally Posted by allend For example, LibreOffice would not start on 32 bit due to a stack gap issue,

I think we need to tweak this statement ever so slightly, it's Libre Office Base. I use Libre Office 5 Writer on my 32bit machine and it runs perfectly.