Microsoft Corp. today announced the release to manufacturing (RTM) of Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 is optimized to enable customers to take advantage of the performance enhancements in the Intel Itanium 2 processor.

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 is a high-performance desktop platform that enables the next generation of powerful Windows-based applications for Itanium 2. The platform is designed for customers solving complex scientific problems, developing high-performance design and engineering applications, creating 3-D animations, or producing videos.

The Windows 64-bit architecture gives developers the freedom to create 64-bit applications using the familiar Windows programming model, encouraging the development of a wide-ranging set of software applications for the platform.

Microsoft and Intel Corp. began collaborating on 64-bit computing in 1996. In 2001, with Windows XP 64-Bit Edition, Microsoft delivered 64-bit desktop operating system support for the first-generation Itanium processor.
More info:
hxxp://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2003/mar03/03-28WinXP64BitPR.asp

Uh didn't even there is a 64-bit Edition of version 2003 coming out. Thanks for the news Fisher. So this is different from the Windows XP 64-bit Edition which was released in the time Windows XP was released in year 2001. IC. They really need to change the name from XP to .net I reckon. Something like Windows .net 64-bit Edition would've been cool.