OEM ?

[computer DORK]

Hi Gang,
Many comments on this forum refer to an item as being an OEM.
Can anyone tell me what this means and why a manufacturer makes
OEMS
Thanks
CD

[vbl117]

It means Original Equipment Manufacturer . OEM products are products sold without box and most of the time without software , drivers an accessories ( it is a bit different with some hardware , i think videocards are sold with drivers ) .
Without packaging it is cheaper than retail products ( not a lot though , and for consumers it is not always interesting because some OEM products are not identical with retail products , for example it is often the case with soundblaster soundcards ) .
Some companies buy OEM products to other companies , put them in a box and sell it with their brand . Lite-On sells OEM CD-RW to Traxdata , Polaroid , Sony ....
Why Lite-On makes OEM drives because integrators want OEM to earn more money , because last year his brand was known by few people and because it probably has some weaknesses with sales organisation .
Selling OEM products allows mass production ( or higher production ) , mass production means more profits by units manufactured .

Today most of the CD/RW drives sold are Lite-On or Benq OEM products .

[BuddhaTB]

Nice response vbl117.

Here's another thread that's very similar to this topic.
http://www.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=8973

[computer DORK]

Thanks to vbi117 and BuddhaTb for such in depth replies.
CD