amd decided on an easier idea, creating x86-64, a 64-bit addition to the x86 architecture, which microsoft soon supported in microsoft windows, so intel had to include the same type of 64-bit addition in intel's x86 processors. x86-64 can use existing 32-bit applications at full hardware speed, but has 64-bit memory addressing and other additions to new applications. this architecture has now become the most used 64-bit architecture in the desktop and laptop market, with the 64-bit armv8 architecture powering many mobile devices, used in today's iphones, ipads, ipod touches, and now many android phones and tablets such as the nexus 6p and nexus 9. ssome itanium-based workstations were initially introduced by companies such as sgi, but they are no longer available. because amd made the first x86-64 chip, the architecture is commonly referred to as "amd64" inside of operating systems.