garfield-n-odie said:
OEM copies of Office have a few advantages and a few disadvantages.
Advantages:
1. You don't have to install it yourself. This is important to some
people.
Yes you do. You can purchase OEM licences with an item of hardware
(sometimes as insignificant as a USB cable - though it doesn't really
count - a hard drive would though). I don't think the store owner is going
to come over and install it for you! ;o)
2. OEM copy costs less than retail copy.
Disadvantages:
1. OEM copy cannot be installed on any other computer. Retail copy
is usually licensed for installation on one desktop and one laptop
computer owned by you as long as both computers are not used
simultaneously.
2. OEM copy often does not come with a CD or a box. You can try
begging the OEM to send you a CD.
It may not come with a box, but it does come with a CD if you purchase it as
I stated above (bit difficult to install it otherwise! ;o))
3. Microsoft doesn't provide technical support for OEM copies. You
have to contact your OEM for technical support.
Which, in the case of the OEM with hardware, is the store you bought it
from - and they're (usually) clueless!