[Mighty Hetfield]

I have to buy an IBM Deskstar (60 or 75GB) and something really puzzled me. Most retailers have a "retail" price and a cheaper price sometimes reffered as "OEM". I'm assuming the OEM is the bare drive, but I was wondering if it comes in an IBM box with warranty or it is just the store warranty? I'm assuming the retail version has all that. Which one should I get? Any suggestions?

[Corinthian]

I think OEM drives would only come with store warranty, and you would obviously kow what you want, right?
Besides, pay attention to which series of Deskstar it is because the old series, begins with 3070XX is a very hot one. If you are using the 75G version, it would be 15Gx5 that will be very hot.
I would recommend you to buy a IC35 series, with 20G a disk. This one is better because the drive is more efficient with lower heat emission. You can know which series it is by asking the retailer. Hope this can help
I have got one for my Mac a few days ago and it's excellent!

[AirSluf]

The OEM would indicate the drive came installed in a computer and the buyer wanted an upgrade replacement so the original drive came out and the store is selling it. They can't sell it as retail because they don't have any of the boxes or documentation (officially). It's kinda grey market stuff without the importing thing.

It could be a good deal, but that depends on how much you trust the folks you are buying from.

[petek]

I believe the difference is that the retail version is targeted at consumers and therefore has larger, graphic decorated box and usually includes free software such as Photoshop LE or the like. The OEM box is brown cardboard and includes a registration card, period. The drives are the same and both have the manufacturer's standard warranty.

[Mighty Hetfield]

Thanks for the feedback so far, folks. If you have more tips, send'em all!