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32 bit v. 64 bit
#43730 02/23/17 07:37 PM
Joined: Sep 2009
deniro Offline OP
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Joined: Sep 2009
I'm trying to figure out whether my Mac is 64 bit or 32 bit, and I've read enough conflicting advice to be confused. Specifically, I want to know if it can run (and dual boot) the 64 bit versions of Ubuntu 16.10 Desktop and Mint 18.1 Cinnamon.

I bought the 32-bit CDs of Mint 18.1 Cinnamon and Ubuntu 16.10 Desktop because my XP laptop will only run 32 bit and that's where I was going to experiment. Then I remembered that I can partition my Mac drive without having to erase, then dual boot Windows with Boot Camp. Google told me I can't use Boot Camp for Linux, but I can use rEFInd. If I can get better performance from the 64-bit systems, then I'll run those instead of the 32-bit.

Mint (32-bit) worked quite well from the internal CD (Mac) although it took a v. long time to boot.
System Profiler, under Software, System Software Overview: "64-bit Kernel and Extensions: No"

Using advice I read online:
1) Activity Monitor told me kernel_task is Intel, not Intel (64 bit) though there are applications currently running that say Intel (64 bit).

2) Core Duo is 32 bit, Core 2 Duo is 64 bit. Apple Knowledge Base agrees.

3) Typing getconf LONG_BIT in Terminal gave "64"

4) Typing uname -m gave "i386" (=32)

5) Typing sysctl hw.cpu64bit_capable gave "1" (=64)



Last edited by deniro; 02/23/17 07:38 PM.
Re: 32 bit v. 64 bit
deniro #43732 02/23/17 10:51 PM
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 16
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