The Humviewer requirements page has limited information, but it seems to suggest that it will run on 32 bit operating systems. No reference is made for 64 bit operating systems:
If you don't have it already and is using a 32 bit version of Windows, a bundled version can be installed with the program.Humviewer may run on 64 bit operating systems, but it may not. The reason this is being discussed depends where you are going to buy your laptop from. The following is written with the assumption that Humviewer will not run on 64 bit Windows 7, 64 bit Windows XP, or 32 bit Windows 7.
Consumer grade laptops today are predominantly Windows 7 64 bit systems. Consumer grade is what you typically find at retails stores (Best Buy, Office Depot, etc). Business systems offer a wide array of configurations, including 32 or 64 bit options, XP downgrade rights, and a multitude of other variables. Business systems are available generally online or through business partners.
Windows 7 Professional or higher versions give you Windows XP Mode, which is a virtual desktop that runs on top of Windows 7. Straight Windows 7 will not allow the inclusion of Windows XP Mode. Windows XP Mode can be helpful for when older software does not run on Windows 7.
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/reviews/2010/01/windows-xp-mode.arsThe video at the link below is a brief overview showing the virtual Windows XP Mode over Windows 7 Professional:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/windows-xp-modeIf Humviewer does not run on 64 bit operating systems, another option would be to run VMware Player Virtual Desktop. Similar in function to Windows XP Mode in that the desktop is virtual, VMware Player will allow you to create multiple virtual desktops if you so desire. I personally have available 2 virtual servers and 4 virtual desktops using VMware player that I can run on my laptop if I so desire. I do this for my work.
VMWare Player can be downloaded from the link below:
VMware Player DownloadUnless VMware Player has changed recently, it should be free. Register and download.
When buying a new laptop with a strong desire to run Humviewer, assuming Humviewer is 32 bit only, you may want to consider locating a laptop that is Windows 7
Professional 32 bit. The professional version will give you the ability to run XP mode if desired. Straight Windows 7 32 bit will not allow that option. Should you go with Windows 7 Professional 64 bit, you will want to do some research. I am not clear whether a Windows 7 Professional 64 bit system running Windows XP mode, if the XP mode will also be 64 bit. Windows XP did ship 64 bit versions of it's operating system.