What IS The Difference Between OEM and Retail products?
What are “OEM” and “Retail” products?
“OEM” stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM's exist in most major industries. OEM products are usually less expensive.
'Retail Products’ or ‘RP' means Retail Packaged. It means retail versions supplied by the manufacturer.
What is the difference between "OEM" and "Retail" Products?
The difference between OEM and retail products is packaging, extras and price.
OEM products do not come with cables, boxes (usually just come in antistatic bags) or extras (installation CD’s etc.) Also OEM products are cheaper as normally you are only buying them when buying a new PC. Retail products come with all the cables, screws, nice fancy box and packaging, demo cd’s, demo software etc.)
The other big differences between OEM and retail products are the ways in which the warranties are handled. Most retail products are provided with very well defined terms for service and support in case the product has any problems. On the other hand, OEM products generally have shorter warranties and limited support. The fact is, an OEM product is supposed to be sold as part of a package through a retailer.
Software developers often provide an OEM version and a retail version of each software product. These versions typically have different installation behaviors. The retail version is expected to be installed by an end-user, so it includes requesting information from the user and requires response as part of the installation process. The OEM version, on the other hand, is expected to be installed by a computer reseller so it requests no information during installation, but rather at the first time the software product is executed. One difference between these two versions, therefore, is the behavior during installation. Another common difference between OEM and retail versions of the same product is the license terms that applies to each version.
Another difference between OEM and retail products can also be that it is a cut-down version of the original product. Hardware manufacturers used to offer two versions of its products, the OEM version actually used a cheaper, less powerful than the retail one. OEM software, too, can be time- or feature-limited and sometimes isn't even an OEM at all, and actually a demos.
Some tips when purchasing OEM vs. Retail products:
• Compare the % cost saving to the lack of support or warranty.
• Ensure that you are not saving a few dollars just to get ruined six months later by a faulty product.
• Once retail software is bundled with the hardware, you cannot re-use onto another machine even in the event you upgrade your machine to another one
• The difference between them it might only be a model number to differentiate between retailers. Hence be aware of similar product. If the price is right and the specifications are the same, then you must be wise to save in this situation.
• Software is one portion where OEM almost always saves the consumer big bucks.
• Limited customer service by OEMs. Retail products providers take utmost care in providing customer care services.
• Cautions to the wise though make sure it is not a limited license or limited compatibility to hardware.
It is always advised to buy retail products over OEMs as you can get proper after sales customer service despite some additional costs associated with it.
Save My System Offers support services for either OEM or RETAIL Products, get in touch with us today for more info on our computer repair services: www.savemysystem.co.uk
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