----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Green" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 1:34 AM
Subject: HDDs
What is the difference between an OEM and a Retail version of a HDD -- for
say a Seagate Barracuda 160gB -- except the ~$30.
Hard drive manufacturers sell a special version of hard drives to OEM's in
bulk at a substantially reduced price. There is nothing different about this
as the large computer manufacturers buy all components for price, not for
endurability or customer benefit.
So what is the huge difference in the OEM version sold in bulk and what you
buy at the store as an end user? The computer manufacturer and the hard
drive manufacturer have a sweetheart deal that relieves the hard drive
manufacturer of any warranty to the end user. Most computers have a one year
warranty which includes all components, including the hard drive. The huge
difference here is often the end user gets shortchanged on the hard drive
warranty. If they have a smaller computer manufacturer who serves the
customer above the profit margin, build their computer they could have a 3
year or a 5 year warranty on their hard drive. They do have to ask, of
course. Although we smaller OEM's have the option to furnish 3 or 5 year
warranty hard drives, most opt for the 1 year warranty hard drive. Again,
the "buy low and sell high" rule applies, padding the profit margin to the
hilt.
Let me make it crystal clear that a 3 year or 5 year hard drive warranty is
offered by the hard drive manufacturer, not the computer builder, unless the
computer has a warranty longer than 1 year. This means the end user is
responsible for obtaining an RMA from the hard drive manufacturer and
returning the drive unless the business who built their computer is willing
to service the hard drive warranty. I service the hard drive warranty only
if I sold the hard drive. If the customer furnished their own hard drive for
their new computer, the hard drive manufacturer bears the responsibility to
replace it under warranty.
When you read in Maximum PC Magazine allegations of Intel paying Dell to
stay exclusively Intel etc. you realize that sweetheart deals made by hard
drive manufacturers to computer manufacturers is only a part of the overall
plan. Since most people consider only the bottom line, we smaller computer
manufacturers are being shoved out of business the same as Wal*Mart caused
thousands of smaller stores to have to close due to a lack of customers.
To simply matters, an independent computer repair shop can not exchange your
OEM hard drive unless they are an authorized service center for your
computer manufacturer. You have to rely on the computer manufacturer or
their authorized agent, no matter how far they send you or require you to
ship your computer for repairs.
I have no idea if the Seagate hard drives with a 5 year Seagate warranty I
purchase from my supplier, ASI are technically considered OEM drives or not.
Neither ASI or Seagate knows if I use a new hard drive for repairs or
building into a new computer. None of my 5 year warranty Seagate hard drives
are labeled "OEM - To Be Installed In New Computers, Only."
The point here is you do have the option to view each of the approximately
10 different components in the next new computer you plan to purchase
individually. This means it does matter if everything is under a 1 year or 3
year warranty or you can have portions of your new computer under an even
longer warranty such as 5 years.
What is the difference between an OEM and a Retail version of a HDD -- for
say a Seagate Barracuda 160gB -- except the ~$30.
Since you realize this issue is large enough to involve a $30.00 price
difference, you may as well investigate for yourself and learn whose pocket
the $30.00 that is saved goes into when you purchase a computer with the
cheaper OEM hard drive.
Chuck
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