Are there any differences between hard disk drives that you can buy in a store compared to those built into a computer at factory level? (obviously talking about same hypothetical brand and model)
2007-01-09 20:52:12 · 8 answers · asked by TK-421 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Probably not.
If you buy an OEM disk instead of a retail pack it maybe comes without the cable, without the install manual, maybe without any of the 'free' extra software... it may just be a disk sealed in a bag in a box with some padding.
Other than that it's very probably the same disk mechanism and electronics. The only difference you may find is some manufacturers get different firmware to cope with special extensions to disk behaviour that they need. As example, disks for EMC disk arrays identify themselves as EMC on their scsi busses even though they are really made by ?seagate?... and the electronics they talk to won't talk to disks missing the right firmware. Like everything else, a big enough buyer can get a standard product customised to their wants, but most don't.
2007-01-09 21:03:39 · answer #1 · answered by bambamitsdead 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi there. OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer. Usually when you go to a computer store to buy a hard drive, you have two options, OEM or retail. OEM hdd (short for hard drives) are just that, just the hard drives themselves in an antistatic bag and nothing else (may or may not include cables/warranty cards, differs per store). Retail hdds are hard drives that comes with complete packages such as the packaging box, manuals, warranties, CDRoms, cables and etc. Usually when you buy a prebuilt computer, you may or may not get the supporting documents that came with your hard drive. It all depends on the store where you bought your system. I hope this answers your question. :-)
2007-01-09 21:02:55 · answer #2 · answered by iskai 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Build wise there are the same. Just cheaper because of not having to have a fancy box , like those of retail. Also warranties are sometimes shorter with oem models, then the retail one. Usually there is a serial number letting manufactures know if its retail or not.
2007-01-09 20:59:11 · answer #3 · answered by A P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oem comes wraped in bubble plastic bag.. retail you pay better for a extraordinarily field. OEM will paintings high-quality. you position in software the same with both. set bios to boot from cd/dvd romchronic.
2016-12-02 02:06:15 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OEM = Different packaging, price and warranty.
Retail = Pretty packaging, higher price, better warranty and usually all the connectors to install.
Never had a problem with either. Companies put way too much time in packaging marketing to make their product sell. But if you have a great product, you could put it in a brown paper bag and I would still buy it! :)
2007-01-09 21:35:36 · answer #5 · answered by Z 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only difference is that the manufacturer buys them in bulk to same on the cost. You will probably find the exact same drive in a retail outlet, or online from one of the wholesalers
2007-01-09 20:58:00 · answer #6 · answered by Dan821 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OEM products usually don't come with a warranty. So you probably want to check that before you buy.
2007-01-09 21:02:35 · answer #7 · answered by Professor Mike 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oem parts normal have plain packageing, shorter warrenty,and don,t include free customer support, but are still the same harddrive
2007-01-10 08:03:44 · answer #8 · answered by jlbudweiser 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋