Which Linux Mint 17.1 to install?

[joe at actionline.com]

I just bot a Dell Laptop and want to install Linux Mint.

I guess Mint 17.1 is the latest stable, correct?

Should I install 32-bit or 64-bit?

What are the pros and cons?

Also, since it has win-8.1 out of the box (ugh!) what will be the 
safest, surest, quickest way to wipe the HD clean and install Mint?

How do I access the bios and what change(s) or settings will I need to 
make?

(Sorry I missed the install-fest.)