[twotugs]

I was looking around on TigerDirect and found an OEM version of XP Pro that is dramatically lower priced than I've found in a retail store. The item comes with this disclaimer:

B]Licensing Information: You receive a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and a CD containing the program on it. This is a legal OEM version of Windows licensed by Microsoft to be sold with any "non-peripheral hardware component" and is bundled as such.[/b]

Call me slow, but I don't quite get it. An OEM is an Original Equipment Manufacturer, so does this mean I'm buying a copy of XP Pro that's meant for an eMachine, or some other manufacturer, and may or may not install on another system? I also noticed:

Returns policy: OEM software is not returnable for any reason

Which I interpret to mean "If it don't work, that's your problem."

If the deal is legal and above-board, it seems sweet to me. I can live without tech support, pretty packaging, or installation instructions; I'll even take the cheap LAN card or whatever else the OS is bundled with. Even if I take TD's rep into consideration, I found a similarly priced OEM version on BITS.com, and I bet I can find it elsewhere.

So why am I still leery? Does anyone else have experience with OEM software? Is this a case of getting what I pay for, or have I stumbled onto a good deal? I'm running 2KPro on this HD, but I'd like to switch to XP Pro and not worry Microsoft is gonna "get" me for using a pirated version. And $130 sounds a lot better than $300.

[brendandonhu]

I wouldn't buy from TigerDirect if I were you...read the other threads about them here..or look em up on resellerratings.com

I'd recommend buying directly from Microsoft themselves, for a guaranteed genuine copy of WindowsXP. OEM copies usually run on the specific computer they're made for and come with. It should even say on the disc "not for resale" so, whoever's selling that disc is doing it illegally DO NOT buy it!

HexStar

[wedor]

It's not illegal, the MS licensing allows for OEM software to be sold with "non-peripheral hardware" (mouse, keyboard, etc...). It was intended that this be sold with a new motherboard, hard drive, CPU, etc... but the rule is not that specific so many companys sell it with just a cable or pack of screws or ???. You can't buy directly from MS.

Oh well, if you can't buy directly from Microsoft, then your next best bet would be to buy directly from CompUSA either in person or online at compusa.com.

Good luck,

HexStar

[hewee]

Originally posted by wedor:
It's not illegal, the MS licensing allows for OEM software to be sold with "non-peripheral hardware" (mouse, keyboard, etc...). It was intended that this be sold with a new motherboard, hard drive, CPU, etc... but the rule is not that specific so many companys sell it with just a cable or pack of screws or ???. You can't buy directly from MS.

So true it can be sold that way.


Microsoft OEM System Builder
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/main.asp

[Rockn]

OEM version are fine and I prefer them over the retail junk. The only requirement is that you buy something like a hard drive with it to be a legal purchase. Why are you touting Microsoft in this review Hex? I would agree with brendan on skipping TigerDirect

[sorrento5]

I did the same thing that you are suggesting since I am building a machine ......and have ordered the cpu, memory etc.

I ordered through Googlegear and the package was generic (not specific for any computer) fully endorsed by Microsoft.

If you don't mind not having a fancy package and know how to configure your machine .... you can't go wrong with this sweet deal. Yes , it's much cheaper and completely legal.

[gotrootdude]

Some info on Tiger Directs recent deal with Microsoft

Microsoft slashes WinXP price to kill Lindows OS
Posted by gonaads on Sunday 8th June 2003 at 9:23pm 3 comments Previous Post | Main | Next Post


The founder of Lindows, Michael Robertson, has penned a piece on techzone in which he alleges that Microsoft is using its vast financial resources to block his firm's OS being sold by retailers.

And that means one Lindows OS retailer is being wooed with a price of just $50 for Windows XP in an attempt to wean it off the competition.

Robertson claims in the article that Microsoft routinely offers money to companies to not use the Lindows OS or resell it.

He adds in the article that for Microsoft "it's an easy decision" to use several million dollars to stop the retailers carrying the Lindows OS.


Source:http://www.ntfs.org/comments.php?id=...20Lindows%20OS
And he gives an example. TigerDirect, he said, has sold thousands of Lindows computers in the last few months, but he claims the firm had emails and phone calls from Microsoft offering money to stop the direct mail house selling these kind of computers.

And, he adds, the latest offer means TigerDirect could sell Microsoft Windows XP for just $50, less than the largest OEM customers.