OEM vs Full Version

[gizz72]

Greetings,

A friend in the office asked my opinion on the difference of the 2. There are a few things I like to know in General. May it be OS or software. I just could not pointout a definite answer to both. Please help me clear it. I just want to be sure if I told her is correct. Thanks.

Regards,

Gizz

[whabang]

Often, OEM-software has no support at all.
Buying OEM-hardware (Like a Logitech keyboard from Dell) can also cause headaches, when the producer and the bundler throws you between them.

[mikeymike]

Remember though that the (at least) 1yr warranty has to be honoured.

If it is MS software, then getting a retail version entitles you to later get an 'upgrade' version.  But considering that the price of the upgrade version is the same as the OEM (full) version, and that you've got about as much chance of getting technical support from MS as you do a meteor landing on your head...

[whabang]

1 year warranty mostly applies to hardware. The standard answer for SW-problems at Dell and HP are asking the customer to reinstall the OS. I know, I have given technical support for both of them.

[Samuar]

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer.
In the MS World, should only be sold by MS OEM Resellers.
OEM Software can only be sold with a new PC or with a motherboard + cpu + ram + hdd combination. (as defined by M$)

OEM Software from Microsoft does not feature a box, useful manuals (altho, is retail any more useful?) - usually only a EULA and a Installation Guide, CD-ROM and license sticker. Basically, no frills. Since Win2K, if u buy the boxes of 3, you get extra software to customise the setup and to stick your ugly corporate logo all over the Systems Properties dialog window.

Retail is a boxed product - can be bought by anyone, without the need for purchasing a brand new PC and should come with better documentations and frills.

I am quite sure, in the MS World, there is no difference over warranty issues.

Hope this helps,

Samuar

[gizz72]

Greetings all,

Thanks for the input.

Regards,

Gizz