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26-12-2006, 5:24 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Member
Join Date: May 2006
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What's the Diff?
whats the differance between an OEM version of windows xp and a retailed boxed version bought from say PC World?
Also is there a diff in xp home and xp pro to warrant the extra cash outlay?
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26-12-2006, 6:10 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Moderator
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Re: What's the Diff?
Quote:
Originally Posted by DreamDemon
whats the differance between an OEM version of windows xp and a retailed boxed version bought from say PC World?
Also is there a diff in xp home and xp pro to warrant the extra cash outlay?
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First question, basically nothing. The OEM version is usually pre-installed and can only be sold with the original PC.
As for the 2nd one, I haven't found much yet (using Pro at work and Home at, well, home) 
I say what I think and think what I say, but my opinions are not those of AVF...
"Beckham? His wife can't sing and his barber can't cut hair."
"I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the business. But I was in the top one." Brain Clough
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26-12-2006, 6:10 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Senior Member
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Re: What's the Diff?
OEM has no box, very little documentation, and must (in theory) be bought with some hardware. The software itself is identical.
This is the type of OEM that's sold without a PC, so it comes with the licence sticker in the pack.
As stated by shay0, there is another type of OEM, sold with a PC. This type is customised, and probably won't even load on a different PC. The licence sticker should already be on the PC when you buy it.
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Last edited by clockworks; 26-12-2006 at 6:14 PM.
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26-12-2006, 6:49 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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Member
Join Date: May 2006
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Re: What's the Diff?
so regardless if i bought a OEM or Retailed box version, i can still only install on 1 computer and not on a recently purchased laptop?. for that i would need to buy a new copy?
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26-12-2006, 8:36 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Veteran Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Re: What's the Diff?
There are 3 ways of buying Windows:
OEM - this is usually through a computer manufacturer like Dell. Original Equipment Manufacturer. These must be brought with a piece of hardware - usually a mouse/cable. Very little docuementation.
Retail - Fancy boxed version of the OS. Usually much more expensive than OEM, but contains all documentation.
VLK - Usually just an ISO and a product key is given. No hard copy is given or documentation.
@DreamDemon:
The difference between Home/Pro/MCE is the following:
Home - doesn't contain all the adminstrative tools and (some of the more advanced) networking/filesharing features.
Pro - Contains everything XP has to offer
MCE - Exactly the same as Pro but with the MCE addon (hence the 2nd CD) but you are unable to join domains with MCE (this is to stop big corporations from buying MCE and using it in the place of Pro)
If you brought a brand new OEM or Retail you could install it on any PC/laptop you like.
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