I have to buy a full version of Windows XP, and reformat my hard drive? there are to options, OEM or RETAIL. Which is better?
What's the difference in the two?
2007-10-09 11:21:44 · 5 answers · asked by Heather 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
It depends on what you need. If you will only be using the license on one computer, and you do not plan on upgrading any components in the computer, the OEM license is fine.
If you plan on moving the license from the computer to a new computer when (or if) you upgrade, you'll need a retail license to do so.
Sam L.
Customer Service
Solid Documents, LLC
saml@soliddocuments.com
http://www.soliddocuments.com
2007-10-09 11:26:56 · answer #1 · answered by Scyon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, and it is the version that gets sold to companies, like Dell, Gateway, HP. etc. and is the version that comes pre-installed on your PC. If you can get this version, it's usually cheaper, so go for it.
Retail is the boxed copy you would buy in the store, and is typically more expensive.
Also, weigh the costs of buying a 6 year old operating system versus just getting a newer, faster, better computer! Might not be worthwhile to buy either version of Windows XP.
2007-10-09 18:27:05 · answer #2 · answered by th3_0n3_r1ng 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy retail..oem products are easily duplicated..get retail to make sure of the quality of the product
2007-10-09 18:53:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is far better to purchase the program. Often when you download programs and even though you are paying for it, you don't have the original disks.
2007-10-09 22:21:28 · answer #4 · answered by Jan C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe this will help
http://www.pcguide.com/buy/des/specRetail-c.html
2007-10-09 18:28:48 · answer #5 · answered by Will 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋