[OS X TeX] 64 Bit Binaries for TeX Live 2009

[roberto avanzi]

On Nov 23, 2009, at 18:06 , Richard Koch wrote:

> Folks,
>
> TeX Live 2009 installs 32-bit binaries on the Macintosh. Recent Macs  
> can also run 64-bit applications, and we experimented briefly with  
> 64-bit binaries before the TeX Live 2009 release. The 400 page book  
> we used to benchmark typeset in 3 seconds in 32-bits, and the  
> speedup with 64-bit apps ranged from negligible to a fraction of a  
> second. Since 64-bit binaries would receive limited testing, we  
> opted not to include them.
>
> Recently a user with an 800 page project retested. His book typeset  
> in 4.40 seconds with 32-bit binaries, and in 3.39 seconds with 64- 
> bit binaries.
>
> An optional install package is now available which adds 64-bit  
> binaries to TeX Live 2009 and Ghostscript. This package requires  
> Snow Leopard and only installs if TeX Live 2009 and Ghostscript 8.70  
> have been installed. The package adds an extra item to the TeX  
> Distribution Preference Pane, allowing users to switch between 32- 
> bit and 64-bit binaries (both distributions use the same texmf trees).

Why Snow Leopard as a minimum requirement?  Leopard can run 64 bit cli- 
only binaries.

  Roberto