Overclock.net banner

Difference between OEM an Retail?

604 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Choppah4
Whats the difference between OEM OS and Retail OS? For Vista
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
OEM can only be installed on one computer (tied to the motherboard). Once it is installed it can't be installed with another motherboard...legally.

Retail can be used over multiple times on different computers and motherboards as many times as you like. But it can only be installed on one at a time.
  • Rep+
Reactions: 1
Retail can be installed on multiple machines (one at a time though.) OEM can only be installed on one motherboard.
  • Rep+
Reactions: 1
So it like those pre built machine OS? Which is "Tattoo" right?
OEM means that the licence holder is the motherboard and not the person. This means that you cannot upgrade your motherboard but can upgrade your other parts, due to you mobo being the key holder

Retail is more expensive but has no restrictions, you can upgrade your mobo as many times as he person is the licence holder
  • Rep+
Reactions: 1
Quote:


Originally Posted by SinX7
View Post

So it like those pre built machine OS? Which is "Tattoo" right?

Yes. Dell, HP, etc. use OEM license versions of XP and Vista.
See less See more
retail comes with the hsf and i think a longer warranty (3yrs vs 1).
  • Rep+
Reactions: 1
Quote:


Originally Posted by sgdude
View Post

retail comes with the hsf and i think a longer warranty (3yrs vs 1).

lol, he said OS not Processor... I believe you also get like a year of support from MS with the Retail copy and no support from an OEM copy since OEM assumes whoever purchases the OS can support it.
See less See more
  • Rep+
Reactions: 1
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top