xp oem or retail?

[kesler]

What is the difference between oem or retail? I'm ready to set up my daughters computer and need xp system. I can get a oem at tigerdirect for $90.00. The retail is 199.00. Any input please. Thanks Kirk

 

[wolfram]

Well, with the OEM version, you don't get anything special, like the colored box, manual, and other stuff. You just get the XP cd, and almost nothing else.

I'd choose OEM, it's way cheaper

 

[Didou]

I also believe you don't get support from MS if you buy an OEM version.

 

[alidabiri]

you can get an oem version here for about $69.00:
http://www.softwareoutlet.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=0464
i have one installed on my son's machine.
i am not really crazy about contact microsoft about support. their support is useless. you have to wait on hold for hours, and most of the time, you're referred to "hardware" and driver area.

 

[mailpup]

Another major difference is once installed, the OEM version is forever tied to that PC and cannot be transferred or used in another PC even if the original PC is dead and ready for the scrap heap. A retail version can be transferred although, of course, it still can't be used in more than one machine at any one time.