OEM Components

I've noticed that OEM components are sometimes cheaper than boxed iteams, can anyone tell me what is the difference what OEM means, and is there any difference from the boxed iteam, thnx

 

Example: OEM Hard drive = Just the drive. Retail = Hard Drive, cables, screws, software, and instructions. So basically with OEM is you just get the hardware and nothing else. OEM = Original Equipment Manufacture.

 

Plus OEM warranty is usually less then any retail warranty.

 

why is the warranty not as long? is this why the products are cheaper in price?

 

that and nothing comes with it no cds maybe no drivers no cables nothing

 

Although OEM components come with no cabling or anything extra, and usually have a short or no warranty at all, they arent actually bad as some people might think. They are brand new components just without the extras so not only is it cheap its also good for people who buy things in bulk. My X800PRO is OEM, and everything is great, I didn't really feel like paying the extra $30 to get cables that I already had and a manual that can be viewed online.

 

whoa, u can save that much money just getting OEM?

 

Yeah you can save lots. If you don't care about the extra crap, definitely consider OEM if the price margin isn't too big between Retail and OEM. Sometimes they're very similarly priced, sometimes they have a $30 difference, gotta look for those deals.

 

I rarely purchase retail when I can purchase OEM.

 

Basically OEM is like no frills... you dont get the fancy box, you dont get the bundled software, and you usually get less warranty... but at the end of the day its still the same product.

i always buy oem because its cheaper.

for example win MCE 2005 is about £75 on OEM but nearer £200 retail. its still the same operating system you just dont get the remote control with the OEM version (and the remote only costs £30)