XP - OEM or Retail? is retail worth 2x Price

[Jeff34Buff]

I've had it with trying to reconfigure my system using the copy of the "recovery disks" (Hah!) that I pulled off the computer when it was new. I think things will go a lot easier with a regular set of XP home OS disks. I'm going with the home version because it's about half the price of pro.

I can get an OEM set for around $90. The retail version is twice as much. Is there something wrong with OEM? I buy OEM hardware and never had a problem with it - but software might be different. I know it can't be returned if I don't order what I want.

Is there something about the retail version that makes it worth an extra $100?

I could use that $100 for a heatsink fan, a fan controller, & maybe some fancy lights or something, or maybe a new pair of sneakers, or even dog food!

I hear about bundled extras? with the retail - As if I need another AOL opportunity!



Please provide your opinions,

Jeff :scratch: :scratch:

[Cyclonite]

No difference, except it doesn't come in a shiny box. It's made for installs on new computers, so it's required that it's shipped with a piece of hardware. It's illegal to sell it by itself, but there is no difference between retail and OEM versions except for packaging and the aforementioned law.

[DanG]

If you get a retail box copy, you get limited support from MS, where with the OEM, the support comes from the maunfacturer/system provider.

[Cyclonite]

Meh. The support is so limited, that I wouldn't even call it support. :p

[Jeff34Buff]

Meh. The support is so limited, that I wouldn't even call it support. :p


I haven't had much luck with anyone's support for anything so far. Not that customer service departments don't try but...

When I think about my time etc. spent buying a product; troubleshooting it myself because it doesn't work, calling the manufacturer, being on hold, troubleshooting again with a tech, getting an RMA, packaging and shipping the defective part, then waiting for the replacement to arrive, I feel that I've already been taken advantage of.

(Sorry to whine, but I'm tired of doing Quality Control for manufacturers. I think they should test equipment before sending it to the customer. I've been told that QC checks in manufacturing are more expensive than a 30% return rate).

Thanks for the input,

Jeff

P.S. This problem seems to be getting worse instead of better with time.

[Jeff34Buff]

Thanks for the advice.

I ended up buying XP home OEM. It cost me an extra $4 because the offer timed out while I was deciding. I also took time to strongly reconsidered XP Pro again, it seems to have disk and system management features that I might want to use.

I decided to get XP Home, a good HSF, and a 3.5 floppy drive I needed. I even had enough left for a meal and to fuel up the car.

I hope I don't regret not getting Pro. Oh well,

Jeff

[airbornflght]

I would of got pro, thats what I have on my rig, but its not......better shut my mouth b4 some fed comes a knockin on my door.