Companies that build computers order parts by the case at a discount. They are the same part and same quality as the retail version.
What this means to you is that you'll be getting the same part, just not the fancy box. You also may not get "extras", like a CD burning program if you buy an OEM CD burner. The warranty may be different, too. AMD retail processors come with a heat sink and a 3-Year warranty; the OEM version gets you no heat sink and a 90-Day warranty.
This will vary from one item to another. Just read the fine print and make sure that what you get is a good value compared to the "retail" version. I've bought lots of OEM parts and been quite happy with them.
I know it means Original Equipment Manufacturer but what does it mean when you are comparing say, hard drives for example and 2 have similar specs but one says its OEM? Is that better or worse or what?
If the warranties are the same, buy the cheaper one. The actual drives will be identical.
The only caveat would be if you need the extra stuff they put in the retail box. For a HD that would mean the OEM wouldn't come with a cable or the rails to mount the 3.5" drive in a 5.25" bay. If you already have (or don't need) those things then OEM is the way to go. (Assuming identical warranties.)
OEM is basically not MEANT to be sold as retail, they are cheaper because they were sold wholesale to a computer manufacturer to instal in computers being built.
That is the only difference between the 2 drives, one is retail and the other is meant to be put into a PC as a part of the whole!
if you can find a retailer willing to sell it to you and you understand that you will have a VERY limited (if any) warranty, then they are fantastic value for money!
No OEM hard drives for example come with a 1 year warranty from many manufactures and a 3 year retail warranty.
Same drive. Way differant warranty though often. No fancy box and no extended warranty. Most the OEM's that usually use them warranty them for longer. Like if it was in a dell they have a longer warranty in place. Buit for example you call dell with a problem not Maxtor etc..
But if you buy it as a OEM drive you usualy het 12 months not 3 or more years warranty on a hard drive.
Same on a AMD cpu. With OEM cpu you get no heatsink and usually a 12 month warranty. Retail for 10 to 15 bucks more you get a heatsink and a 3 year warranty in general.
Comments
Companies that build computers order parts by the case at a discount. They are the same part and same quality as the retail version.
What this means to you is that you'll be getting the same part, just not the fancy box. You also may not get "extras", like a CD burning program if you buy an OEM CD burner. The warranty may be different, too. AMD retail processors come with a heat sink and a 3-Year warranty; the OEM version gets you no heat sink and a 90-Day warranty.
This will vary from one item to another. Just read the fine print and make sure that what you get is a good value compared to the "retail" version. I've bought lots of OEM parts and been quite happy with them.
The only caveat would be if you need the extra stuff they put in the retail box. For a HD that would mean the OEM wouldn't come with a cable or the rails to mount the 3.5" drive in a 5.25" bay. If you already have (or don't need) those things then OEM is the way to go. (Assuming identical warranties.)
That is the only difference between the 2 drives, one is retail and the other is meant to be put into a PC as a part of the whole!
if you can find a retailer willing to sell it to you and you understand that you will have a VERY limited (if any) warranty, then they are fantastic value for money!
hope that helps!!
Same drive. Way differant warranty though often. No fancy box and no extended warranty. Most the OEM's that usually use them warranty them for longer. Like if it was in a dell they have a longer warranty in place. Buit for example you call dell with a problem not Maxtor etc..
But if you buy it as a OEM drive you usualy het 12 months not 3 or more years warranty on a hard drive.
Same on a AMD cpu. With OEM cpu you get no heatsink and usually a 12 month warranty. Retail for 10 to 15 bucks more you get a heatsink and a 3 year warranty in general.
Tex