XP versus XP OEM

mrgeorgedude

mrgeorgedude

New Member
how come on newegg, windows xp w/ sp2 is literally half of the amount that the retail version costs (usually $200, oem is $100)...is there anything different about the oem version???
 
the oem version doesn't come with all the fancy packaging you get with retail, and oem can only be used on 1 pc, so once it is installed you can't transfer it over to another, whereas retail can be installed on upto 3 pc's (but not all at the same time)

Lee :D
 
sho95 said:
lee1, I ran in to some oem that will let you install more than once.
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maybe a corporate edition OEM.

As someone said before, the only difference is the packaging.
 
s_m_w_d said:
OEM why wouldnt you be getting the box and other stuff!
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Think of it as a poor boy's sandwich at a grocery store. The poor boy sandwich is missing the nice wrapper, mayonnaise and mustard. Same thing with OEM. You are still getting the sandwich just not the other stuff... which is why it can be sold for less money.
 
s_m_w_d said:
So are they coming from the manufacture without all of this so then people can afford it? Love the example!:D
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Believe it or not packaging and manuals can add a lot to a product's cost! This is a prime example of where the lack of packaging can really save you some money.
 
SFR said:
Believe it or not packaging and manuals can add a lot to a product's cost! This is a prime example of where the lack of packaging can really save you some money.
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Or why you can save alot of money if you download a program instead of ordering it on CD.
 
[-0MEGA-] said:
Or why you can save alot of money if you download a program instead of ordering it on CD.
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Very good point. I take it you mean legally purchasing a downloadable version of the software... :cool:
 
SFR said:
Very good point. I take it you mean legally purchasing a downloadable version of the software... :cool:
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Ya, like downloading Nero from there site instead of buying it in-stores.
 
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer and is meant to be sold to computer manufacturers to install on the systems they are building. I'm surprised new egg can sell these. they normally have written on them not for retail sale.
 
Is it not true that OEM versions of Windows are supposed to be supported by the PC maker that it's installed on, and NOT Microsoft? For example, an OEM Dell disk means that you approach Dell for free Windows support in case of a problem, and not MS. Microsoft supports retail versions, last I recall.

Here's what it says for the copy of XP SP1 I've ordered from www.royaldiscount.com :

Original Equipment Manufacturer: OEM software is a full version which includes the CD-ROM, the Certificate of Authenticity (COA), and the product key codes. These elements are all you will need to load and run the software. The software runs exactly the same way as the full retail version (including automatic updates). The differences between OEM Vs RetailBox are:
A. OEM does not come in a box.
B. Full version OEM will only install as a full version, not as an upgrade. Only software titles listed "Upgrade OEM" can be used to upgrade from a previous version.
C. All OEM software behaves just like full version retail box software when upgrading: OEM software can be upgraded to later versions.
D. Manufacturers do not supply free technical support or installation support for OEM.

Tom
 
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lol i forgot about making this thread...but ya the XP oem version i bought and am now using seems to be just as good as any other XP version...i really dont care about manuals for something like this cuz i can ask people on this forum for help, and thats cuttin off a hundred bucks :D
 
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