Software can be expensive to buy. Purchasing OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) software will cost much less. When you buy it, you receive only the license or serial number, and CD's for the software. The expensive part is the documentation and the box is comes with.
When you purchase a new computer, OEM usually comes with it already installed. This is the exact same software you might purchase from a computer store but without the expensive cost of the printed materials. There are electronic versions of the help files that are installed when the software is installed.
Most software can be purchased as OEM possibly saving you several hundred dollars for a single purchase. The savings come from not having any technical support. With some software there is not registration. Some products can be updated and others not.
Be careful when searching sites to "download" from. Stay away from any web site that offers "backup" copies, these are illegal.
Before you install the software, look to see if there is a Read Me file. This file will have information about your new software. There may be special instructions for installation, or a text document listing updates to the software that was not included in the help files.
Examples of pricing:
- Windows XP SP2 - $78.99 vs. $189.99
- Photoshop 7 - $69.95 vs. $495.00
- Corel Draw Graphics Suite 12 - $89.95 vs. $399.00
- Microsoft Office Professional - $109.95 vs. $184.00
- Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004 - $69.95 vs. $378.00
Your prices may be different depending where you shop. To search on the internet, type "OEM software," you will be surprised at how many hits you get.
