hardware OEM or Retail?

matt_griff

matt_griff

matt_griff

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11 Jan 2011
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328
Hi, im pricing up some parts and some things are OEM or Retail.
for instance a LG bluray RW its £80 for OEM or £85 for Retail.

whats the difference between the two?

i understand the difference between windows 7 retail and OEM but didnt think the same applied to hardware?

Matt :)
 
Basically, retail comes in a shiny box possibly with some other pointless stuff.

OEM is minimal packaging (though enough) and just gives you the product for a bit cheaper.

Possibly some other things, which I'll let others state. :D
 
For hardware OEM generally means the bare component with the minimum of packaging, a driver disc where appropriate and not much else. Retail boxes can contain cables, screws, manuals and of course a fancy picture on the outside.
 
rpstewart said:
For hardware OEM generally means the bare component with the minimum of packaging, a driver disc where appropriate and not much else. Retail boxes can contain cables, screws, manuals and of course a fancy picture on the outside.
Click to expand...
RJC said:
Also on certain items the warranty can be reduced. Ie 1 year vs 2 or 3 years.
Click to expand...

If OEM is applied to a CPU it means no heatsink is included.

/thread
 
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OEM can be false economy on some items. OEM DVD/BD drives don't always some with software. Windows 7 OEM is locked to the motherboard so if you upgrade you will need to purchase again (that's the official line).
 
Aye OEM on some items doesn't make a difference (most HDD's for example).
For others it can mean things like additional programmes, fixing screws/kits/cables, or things like heatsinks.

Personally apart from DVDRW and HDD dries I tend to buy most things retail boxed - things like BD drives tend not to come with any software OEM but with a software suite when retail (which is worth the extra fiver or so) - the SATA cable is also handy ;)
 
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