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05-23-2002, 01:30 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New York, NY
Posts: 203
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What is the major difference between, oem & retail items?
Is there any real benefit to either?
I was always told retail is better, but is it?
Retail=more expensive, is that better????
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05-23-2002, 01:31 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: ~/
Posts: 2,567
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Retail usually has a much better warranty than OEM.
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05-23-2002, 01:34 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Wwwwaconia, MMMinnesota
Posts: 831
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One thing I can attest to, when you deal with OEM products (i.e. HP Pavilions, Dells, etc.), you get proprietary hardware that can be difficult to deal with later on (finding drivers mainly).
OEM computer are usually underpowered. Good luck finding a 400W PS to fit a micro-atx form factor.
Many times they're difficult to upgrade also.
Just my .02.
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05-23-2002, 01:36 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: N-the-center-Kansas
Posts: 2,694
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Also retail CPU's have HS/fans and OEM don't usually and retail usually carry 3yr warrenty verses maybe 30day if that.
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05-23-2002, 01:38 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ohio (transplanted f
Posts: 2,673
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It can depend on the product. For CPU's it has to do with not getting the stock HSF or a long warranty. I've seen some other products where there was a significantly better software bundle (Hercules Game Theater XP, f'rinstance), and still others where the actual specs were different, one being the Hercules Geforce 2 MX, which had significantly faster RAM and an overclocking tool in the retail version.
99 times out of 100 though, it just means less fancy packaging, possibly a shorter warranty and maybe some missing game demos. Electronics tend to die within 90 days of being put into service if they're going to croak at all, so that's why the popularity of most OEM versions. If it's going to give up the ghost, it'll probably do it pretty quickly and still be under warranty.
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05-23-2002, 01:42 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New York, NY
Posts: 203
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So,what do you guys buy?
OEM or Retail?
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05-23-2002, 01:43 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Sussex county, Delaware, USA
Posts: 1,156
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OEM = White can at the Grocery store with big block letters "STRING BEANS".
Retail = Same can but with a Green Giant/DelMonte/etc. label with pretty pictures...  | |
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05-23-2002, 01:43 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Sussex county, Delaware, USA
Posts: 1,156
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I usually buy OEM computer parts, but retail string beans! | |
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05-23-2002, 01:45 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: New York, NY
Posts: 203
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Sickpup,
Nice analogy !lol  | |
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05-23-2002, 02:11 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 2,464
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OEM mostly. It reall all depends on the price difference. Generally the price difference is great enough to make the OEM a better value but you should always do your research before buying either.
Research=warrantly, drivers, accessories and packaging...
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