Jump to content

Bulk vs Retail - SSD

LogicalDrm
 Share
Posted

I've been checking prices for SSDs for my upgrade on august-september. One thing I've noticed that every manufacturer has two package types, Bulk/OEM and Retail. Price difference goes from 15€ to 30€ ($20-40/£13-25) depending on store and brand. Does Retail package contain something vital for SSD upgrade? If it's just bracket and screws, I can get those from local store for 7€. Atm not seeing point buying retail one.

^^^^ That's my post ^^^^
<-- This is me --- That's your scrollbar -->
vvvv Who's there? vvvv

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/12889-bulk-vs-retail-ssd/
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Cable, bracket, screws - and some also include an upgrade kit that lets you copy one of your drives to it. (Useful for retiring your boot disk)

In case the moderators do not ban me as requested, this is a notice that I have left and am not coming back.

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/12889-bulk-vs-retail-ssd/#findComment-137580
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

If you buy in "Bulk / OEM", wouldn't you have to buy in large quantities (say 10+ units)?

 

Actually bulk just means there isn't fancy box around product. OEM is same but manufacturer doesn't offer anykind of support. Usually oem is in software where it should be sold only for new computers. But when buying from net nobody cares. I've got 2 bulk hdds, my previous cpu was bulk, all os I've ever bought are oem.

^^^^ That's my post ^^^^
<-- This is me --- That's your scrollbar -->
vvvv Who's there? vvvv

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/12889-bulk-vs-retail-ssd/#findComment-137781
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Actually bulk just means there isn't fancy box around product. OEM is same but manufacturer doesn't offer anykind of support. Usually oem is in software where it should be sold only for new computers. But when buying from net nobody cares. I've got 2 bulk hdds, my previous cpu was bulk, all os I've ever bought are oem.

Ooh, ok. I knew about OEM, never heard of the "bulk" thing before so TIL! :D

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/12889-bulk-vs-retail-ssd/#findComment-137804
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

When system builders buy SSDs and other parts, they buy them in "bulk/OEM" form. They have no need of fancy packaging, so the just get, for example, a bunch of SSDs wrapped in bubble wrap in one large shipping box. They are usually the exact same SSD as the retail package, it's just that the retail package has an individual box which may contain things like a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter, SAT cable, instructions, warranty info, etc.

 

If you have, or don't need, the stuff from the retail package, then you can sometimes save a few $s with the OEM unit.

 

Note though, that in some cases, an OEM part may not be exactly the same as the retail version - particularly when it comes to video cards.

A sieve may not hold water, but it will hold another sieve.

i5-6600, 16Gigs, ITX Corsair 250D, R9 390, 120Gig M.2 boot, 500Gig SATA SSD, no HDD

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/12889-bulk-vs-retail-ssd/#findComment-138588
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Storage Devices

×