Windows XP Pro from Newegg

1448 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Proto, May 12, 2005

OminaeYu

Discussion Starter · May 8, 2005 (Edited)

Windows XP Home/Pro from Newegg

What is the difference between the OEM and the Retail version?

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102153

Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837116195

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1 - 14 of 14 Posts

OEM are sold with PC, and as law says: you can only use it with pc/hardware piece you have rights to use, for example if you sell piece of hardware you got OEM software with, you have to give that OEM software too, when you buy retail software, you can use it ot whatever hardware you want

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hushypushy

· #3 · May 8, 2005

the OEM comes with 2 discs. it has a disc for the computer manufacturer (they set up the PC before you buy it) then it has the regular disc for installation.

also, the retail one comes in a fancy box etc. the OEM one comes in a crappy little folder.

but as far as software goes? get the OEM one. it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

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n_w95482

· #4 · May 11, 2005

Mine was just some short (25 pages at the most) booklet with the CD in a sleeve (no second CD), with everything bound together with shrinkwrap. I would definitely recommend the OEM version. The disc is exactly the same as a retail version so you don't have to worry about any weirdness, like a Dell version of the CD

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OminaeYu

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 11, 2005

I just noticed under "Features" in the description it says "Must be purchased with Hardware"

What does that mean exactly?

Besides the possibility of me having to buy some sort of uber expensive gaming rig from them or something like that.

If so maybe I can get away with not having to buy anything because its a "feature" not a "requirement"

Also which is better for casual gaming/emulation...Home Edition or Pro Edition?

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scottlc

· #6 · May 11, 2005

OminaeYu said:
I just noticed under "Features" in the description it says "Must be purchased with Hardware"

What does that mean exactly?

Besides the possibility of me having to buy some sort of uber expensive gaming rig from them or something like that.

If so maybe I can get away with not having to buy anything because its a "feature" not a "requirement"

Also which is better for casual gaming/emulation...Home Edition or Pro Edition?

No, it is a requirement. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. You're only entitled to the discount if you are building a system.

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OminaeYu

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 11, 2005

So I'm boned... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837116195

Or perhaps not as boned but still costs a bit more...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837116194

In other words can I get away with "not as boned" and still be able to upgrade from Win 2k Pro to Win XP Home?

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hushypushy

· #8 · May 11, 2005

no, dont worry about it. buy the XP pro OEM version...and get one of Newegg's "free" hardware parts. they should have links on the side there.

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OminaeYu

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 11, 2005 (Edited)

So if I were to buy say this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102153 and maybe this http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153006 I would qualify?

Or do you mean the product it automatically adds when you hit add to cart...like this

See less See more

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masque

· #10 · May 11, 2005

they usually bundle it w/ something cheap like mice or crappy headphones.

Careful, a lot of OEM products come with NO SUPPORT from their normal company, you're supposed to get it from Dell, HP, or whoever you buy the PC from.

Price break = good
No support = bad if you aren't an advanced user.

Better idea for college students: buy the academic version. Windows XP Pro upgrade is only $99 if you are a college student.