What does OEM mean?
- Thread starter Primex
- Start date
Geoff
VIP Member
Im not sure on the deffinition (too lazy to look it up 
), but basically it means that the software your buying only includes the CD and maybe some brief documentation. The only differences between them is that you dont get the retail box, or all the documentation that you would get in the retail. Its perfectly fine to buy OEM.
), but basically it means that the software your buying only includes the CD and maybe some brief documentation. The only differences between them is that you dont get the retail box, or all the documentation that you would get in the retail. Its perfectly fine to buy OEM.
The_Other_One
VIP Member
Much of my computer was OEM. My processor was(I ONLY got the CPU in a little plastic case, no fans, no box, or anything) HD's were OEM(just in plastic wrap) etc... Only problem with OEM is that the warrenty sometimes doesn't hold like retail stuff.
diduknowthat
formerly liuliuboy
acronym for original equipment manufacturer
edit: I hate it when ppl post jsut before you do!!!
edit: I hate it when ppl post jsut before you do!!!
spazz31585
New Member
Primex said:
personally, i don't think it's really a bad thing.
but, for example, if you have the OEM version of windows, microsoft will not support it without you paying booku bucks
trust me on that one
other then that, and like mentioned before about documentation and such, it's usually identical
spazz31585
New Member
geoff5093 said:
generally they tell people to call the manufacturer of the system
it's been my experience that they will not do nothing with oem versions
heck, i've gotten calls from people that forgot windows password, or their product key stopped working, they called microsoft and they tell the person to call us
What's OEM?
OEM generally means "original equipment manufacturer." Sometimes it is referred to as "open-ended market" and used interchangeably with "bulk-pack," "white box," "brown box," and "gray market."
Almost all PC component and software vendors make two versions of the same product based on a difference in the distribution channels.
One is the retail boxed products that are sold mainly through retailers. Guess who is paying for the nice-looking packages which cost vendors extra material and labor to produce (and everybody more pollution)? Retail packages also takes up more spaces and cost more to ship.
The second one is the OEM products which are sold mainly to system builders, large ones such as HP and Dell (the OEMs) and many small ones such as the mom-and-dad shop on the corner and the DIY builders. These bulk-pack products do not have fancy packaging materials and are often produced in much higher volume, both of which result in much lower prices that have not been available to the public. The OEM products are of the same quality and often carry the same manufacturer warranty as their retail counterparts (the single-pack). They also often include supporting materials such as manuals and drivers when applicable.
Whenever we can, Directron.com distributes and sells the OEM versions for products such as microprocessors, memory, network cards, hard drives, and video cards, letting end-users and customers share the low cost. Finally, OEM quality and prices for the "little guys!"
Besides the packaging and prices, there are sometimes other subtle and not-so-subtle differences between the retail and OEM versions of a product. Here are a few examples.
Bundled Software: Sometimes the retailed version comes with bundled applications software, which the OEM version may not. This is especially true for high-end video and audio cards. How useful such bundled software is, is often questionable.
Manual and Support: The hard-copy manual for the OEM version may be limited to one per shipping box. However, most of the information is on a CD or on manufacturer's web site. Some manufacturers claim that they do not support their own OEM products. The OEMs are supposed to do the support. In such cases, Directron.com will provide the technical support.
Warranty: Most OEM hardware components come with the same warranty as retail boxed ones. One well-known exception is microprocessors. The retail boxed processors often come with three-year warranty while the OEM ones come with a much shorter one, typically 30 days for Intel and 90 days for AMD. Please check the product page for Limited Warranty information where applicable. We believe the extremely low failure rates of microprocessors justifies the difference in the warranty.
OEM generally means "original equipment manufacturer." Sometimes it is referred to as "open-ended market" and used interchangeably with "bulk-pack," "white box," "brown box," and "gray market."
Almost all PC component and software vendors make two versions of the same product based on a difference in the distribution channels.
One is the retail boxed products that are sold mainly through retailers. Guess who is paying for the nice-looking packages which cost vendors extra material and labor to produce (and everybody more pollution)? Retail packages also takes up more spaces and cost more to ship.
The second one is the OEM products which are sold mainly to system builders, large ones such as HP and Dell (the OEMs) and many small ones such as the mom-and-dad shop on the corner and the DIY builders. These bulk-pack products do not have fancy packaging materials and are often produced in much higher volume, both of which result in much lower prices that have not been available to the public. The OEM products are of the same quality and often carry the same manufacturer warranty as their retail counterparts (the single-pack). They also often include supporting materials such as manuals and drivers when applicable.
Whenever we can, Directron.com distributes and sells the OEM versions for products such as microprocessors, memory, network cards, hard drives, and video cards, letting end-users and customers share the low cost. Finally, OEM quality and prices for the "little guys!"
Besides the packaging and prices, there are sometimes other subtle and not-so-subtle differences between the retail and OEM versions of a product. Here are a few examples.
Bundled Software: Sometimes the retailed version comes with bundled applications software, which the OEM version may not. This is especially true for high-end video and audio cards. How useful such bundled software is, is often questionable.
Manual and Support: The hard-copy manual for the OEM version may be limited to one per shipping box. However, most of the information is on a CD or on manufacturer's web site. Some manufacturers claim that they do not support their own OEM products. The OEMs are supposed to do the support. In such cases, Directron.com will provide the technical support.
Warranty: Most OEM hardware components come with the same warranty as retail boxed ones. One well-known exception is microprocessors. The retail boxed processors often come with three-year warranty while the OEM ones come with a much shorter one, typically 30 days for Intel and 90 days for AMD. Please check the product page for Limited Warranty information where applicable. We believe the extremely low failure rates of microprocessors justifies the difference in the warranty.
dragon2309
P.I Dragon
The only OEM stuff in my PC is the 80 Gb HDD and my PSU, both have been fine and kept the price down, if software isnt needed then OEM =good.