OEM and Retail???

[neo090282]

Just a query,

What are the advantages of buying OEM and the negatives of it? As opposed to Retail??

Ta'

Ian

 

[Nick M]

I think OEM versions are stripped down of any extras, as opposed to retail, which comes with all the extra goodies. Needed or not. However, I'm just guessing here.

 

[Iceman]

advantages of OEM: Price

disadvantages of OEM: Limited support, usually must get support from the place you bought it only, manufacturer of the product can, and often do, refuse to give support for that product.

 

[Glaanieboy]

OEM are for large distributors only, like computer resellers, they only come with a cd and instructionmanual. Retail products are meant for the shops, they are with a box and sometimes some extras.
An example is Windows. When you build a computer and you want to buy parts, then you are licenced to buy an OEM version of Windows (EULA: This product can only be shipped with a computer). When you want to buy only Windows, then you must buy the retail version.

edit: forgot to say: OEM and retail versions of software are exactly the same, the only thing that is different is the box and some extras (like bonus software).

 

[ssj4conejo]

Also to my experience atleast OEM's do NOT need to be activated.
I installed XP OEM through a recovery disks on my friends messed up computer and it required NO activation, yet Retails DO require activation.

 

[Nick M]

That's true. Retail XP needs to be activated. My OEM version does not...

 

[Sazar]

OEM does not come with the RETAIL boxes/cases and therefore is cheaper...

I have bought most of my rig OEM and my retailer here gives me same warranty as the retail package... plus I am not shorted on anything...

only things I have not received is user manual for my audigy gamer card... thats it...

as far as xp? I dunno... never tried OEM v/s XP therefore dunno...

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Well my Home OEM does need to be activated.

 

[BonyTony]

Price

My OEM Xp HE full edition cost me £71.00 pounds, if i bought retail ... upgrade version would have cost me cost £80.00 and full £160.00 so i got a "bargin" and big paper box`s are so eighties

 

[chastity]

Originally posted by Hipster Doofus
Well my Home OEM does need to be activated.

Same here as did a friends XP Pro OEM

 

[dabomb]

yeah my xp home edition needed to be activated also

 

[Henyman]

hmm my xp home oem didn't need 2 be activated....i have a h.p pavillion...what are all urs?

mine was installed off a hiden partition btw

 

[dabomb]

mines an evesham micros comp

 

[chastity]

Well mine was a home built system as was my friends

 

[damnyank]

If I am smoking something funny - say so and I'll go away but
I think we are comparing apples and oranges.

My thoughts:

OEM - the one that comes installed on a "store bought" cpu/system. Like mine and Henyman's HP

OEM - the one that is not installed anywhere - but is bought as "OEM Software" (without all the fancy packing etc.)

This second OEM would have to be activiated because M$ would need to know where (or on which cpu - since it is a single use license) the OS was installed, while the "store bought" OEM (would not be activated) because M$ already knows that it is installed on a manufacturer's cpu which was sold commerically.

Make any sense???? Bottom line being we are talking about different "OEM's"

 

[chastity]

Originally posted by damnyank
If I am smoking something funny - say so and I'll go away but
I think we are comparing apples and oranges.

My thoughts:

OEM - the one that comes installed on a "store bought" cpu/system. Like mine and Henyman's HP

OEM - the one that is not installed anywhere - but is bought as "OEM Software" (without all the fancy packing etc.)

This second OEM would have to be activiated because M$ would need to know where (or on which cpu - since it is a single use license) the OS was installed, while the "store bought" OEM (would not be activated) because M$ already knows that it is installed on a manufacturer's cpu which was sold commerically.

Make any sense???? Bottom line being we are talking about different "OEM's"

Your right damnyank I was trying to figure that out and your right it there are two versions of OEM and the ones I've gotten have the second kind

 

[Henyman]

yup dy is right again