XP...OEM or Retail?

[JHogan13]

I plan on getting the full professional version of Windows XP. I have been looking at the prices on the internet, as well as in stores. The OEM version is about half the price of the retail version. What exactly is the difference between the two? The money is not really the problem, but if I'm not losing any features I may as well buy the cheaper version right? I just would like to know all the differences between the two.

 

[blah]

as far as i know activation is the main difference...

..this is very useful and helpful place for information...

 

[dhlucke]

OEM needs to be purchased with hardware (supposedly), retail doesn't.

<font color=red>God</font color=red> <font color=blue>Bless</font color=blue> <font color=red>America!</font color=red>

 

[James35]

The difference is 150 bucks, oh and you don't get the pretty box. And you have to pay microsoft to help you out.
on the box version for the xtra 150? you get a few months free support?

go oem