The office has a policy that all new machine shall be 64-bit capable. We don't care to buy machines with less than a few year fuse.
For us, the 64-bit extensions pay off in faster video processing speed and other things. Today there is software that uses it. In fact Windows XP (32-bit) with SP2 is using it.
Not the future. And if you don't get one with, then know you didn't so you don't complain later this year.
In regards to 1GB vs 512M RAM and speed. My benchmark of DVD production showed a 5 minute speedup over 6 hours. So yes it is faster.
Bob
I'm planning to buy another laptop soon. Right now I had one with Pentium M and one with Pentium 4. I read a few threads here regarding the pentium with 64 bit channel or something. Should I wait for this? Would there be a Pentium M with 64 bit or it's there already? Do I need it to wait or you guys think the price gonna be way overboard ? Honestly, I don't even know what the 64 bits for anyway. Oh, I don't use my laptops for games.
Another question : does 1gb ram give much more speed than all my 512? Or that big of memory is just for gamers?

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic