2007-06-27 08:02:39 · 4 answers · asked by Angelo Girardi 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer.
The term doesn't exactly fit, but Microsoft "OEMs" their software to company's like Dell, HP, Gateway etc..
It used to be there was no difference between the version in the MS package and the one you get from say Dell. Now Dell at least ships a "recovery" disk that essentially reinstalls everything back the way the system was factory fresh.
2007-06-27 08:25:35 · answer #1 · answered by Fester Frump 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Deciding which to Buy :
Case 1) you have a new PC and do not intend to move to another machine and do not intend to upgrade the CPU or Motherboard - buy the OEM unbranded or the Upgrade (Retail).
Case 2) you have a PC which you will keep, but plan on getting a 2nd PC - buy the OEM unbranded or the Upgrade (Retail). This way you will have a licensed copy of XP on BOTH machines for about the same price as one Full version !! If you have 3 people in your household that all need XP then buy a 3-pack of the OEM unbranded version.
Case 3) you might be moving to another machine or upgrading your CPU or Motherboard in the future - buy the Full (Retail) version !!! It is the ONLY version that will allow this !!!
Case 4) FREE - use any WinXP CD that you can get that does not require activation - load SP2 on it, download and install the full version of "Autopatcher", and from that point on run an Autopatcher update every few months. The only disadvantage is that if your system says "insert Windows XP SP2 CD" - you will not have one to insert - but you can usually get the files elsewhere or run the latest Autopatcher update to get rid of that request.
2007-06-27 15:08:09 · answer #2 · answered by realistrobert 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OEM is only supposed to be sold with a new machine, it is not for general re-sale. If you buy it this way both the retailer selling it and you are really breaking copyright law?
2007-06-27 15:06:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is the difference simply put:
OEM - you can only use this on one machine. When the machine dies the license dies.
Retail - you can install it on a new machine when your old one dies.
2007-06-27 15:12:33 · answer #4 · answered by johnnystarr12 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋