A "32-bit counterpart" refers to a system or component that operates using 32 bits of data at a time. This is common in computer architecture, where a 32-bit processor can handle 4,294,967,296 different values, allowing for efficient data processing and memory addressing. In contrast, 64-bit counterparts can manage significantly larger amounts of data and memory, making them more suitable for modern applications. While 32-bit systems are still used in some devices, many software applications and operating systems, like Windows and Linux, have transitioned to 64-bit counterparts to take advantage of improved performance and capabilities.