OEM vs retail

[mad1]

I am looking at getting Windows 2000 Pro.What is the difference from the "OEM" version to the "retail" version,why the price difference?

[RayH]

OEM is supposed to come bundled with a machine.

[Warthog]

You get the pretty box with the retail version. (gotta love pretty boxes)

Warthog

[mad1]

When I was talking to a company about purchasing Windows 2000 Pro the salesman informed me that it was the "OEM" version.He stated the only difference was the price.

[Vagabond]

the major diff in OEM is the box as far as i know not sure about manuals (included or not). and also not sure if warrenties are the same i have bought a lot of hardware OEM and have never had any problems

[Fingers]

OEM's (Original Equipment Manufacturer) are intendend to be bundled with pre-built systems. I have no idea how so much of it gets out on the market for distribution to the general public, but the software and hardware is the same as "retail". OEM equipment usually doesn't include manuals and items like OEM hdd's won't include cables or other accessories. You also won't recieve any tech support from Microsoft for Win2K Pro OEM... if you call them, they'll tell you to contact your computer manufacturer for tech support. That's definitely not a problem though... YOU HAVE SYSOPT! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[RobRich]

The majority of my software purchases are of the OEM nature. I haven't paid retail for any programs in years. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Stores can legally sell OEM software, even without a specific hardware purchase, assuming certain conditions are met. The software must have been received through a purchase option of OEM software stock of a bankrupted company. Once purchased from the bankrupted entity, then the software can be freely sold without any limitations or exclusions, other than you will likely not receive any technical support from the software's original producer.

Robert Richmond