Difference between these two drives?

Jul 27, 2004 at 2:49 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 16
psxguy85

psxguy85

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Hi, I was browsing newegg.com for a DVD-R drive, specifically the Plextor 708A.

I bumped into 2 different versions of it, the OEM and the Retail, except that the Retail is cheaper than the OEM. What's the difference between the two, besides the Retail and OEM? I know what the main difference is between OEM and Retail, I'm just confused about the price difference.

Drives:

Retail $133.00, $103.00 after discount

OEM $134.99
 
Jul 27, 2004 at 2:56 AM Post #2 of 16
Normally the only difference is that the retail version comes in a shiny package with cables and maybe extra software and stuff. (Don't know about this drive specifically, just that's how it usually works.) The OEM version usually comes in a boring white box with nothing except the drive and, if you're very lucky, an IDE cable.

Usually the only advantage to buying OEM versions is that they're cheaper if you don't need the extras that come with the retail. In this case, the retail drive is a much better deal, so go for it!
cool.gif
 
Jul 27, 2004 at 3:45 AM Post #3 of 16
I haven't check, but usually plextor retail drives come with mounting brackets, screws, and software. The OEM drives are usually just bare drives. Plextor in the past has released OEM products that were very different from their retail counterpart. If I remember correctly,when there was a difference, the noticeable differences are usually with the face plate and tray.
 
Jul 27, 2004 at 4:14 AM Post #6 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by Budley007
Warranties have been known to vary from OEM to Retail. Check before you buy.


rolleyes.gif
That wasn't a useful answer, considering the retail would be the obvious choice since it is cheaper, if these two drives are actually identical. Does anyone know if these drives themselves are identical? Is there more than one version of the 708A drive?
 
Jul 27, 2004 at 6:45 AM Post #7 of 16
Try http://www.anandtech.com, since I think they're more into that sort of thing than most of the people here. I bought my $100 drive last year, so I'm not interested enough to find an answer for you, but I'm guessing that you should just go with the retail. Usually there isn't anything useful in there, except for the screws. Those come in handy, if you're low on them (as I am...).
 
Jul 27, 2004 at 6:48 AM Post #8 of 16
the drives are of course identical, the retail is so cheap because it's an older model now and they apparently lowered the price for retail and left the oem drive as it was before.. go with whatever is cheaper..
 
Jul 27, 2004 at 6:58 AM Post #9 of 16
Yeah, that happens every now and then with what is becoming a legacy hardware/software... As long as the model numbers match, it's the same thing.
wink.gif
 
Jul 27, 2004 at 7:02 AM Post #10 of 16
Quote:

Originally Posted by psxguy85
rolleyes.gif
That wasn't a useful answer, considering the retail would be the obvious choice since it is cheaper, if these two drives are actually identical. Does anyone know if these drives themselves are identical? Is there more than one version of the 708A drive?


Dude, I was just trying to help out. Retail is "usually" more expensive than OEM. Maybe it has something to do with the mail-in rebate. These two drives look the same, but may have come from different distributors. Your best bet would be to call Newegg and ask them about the odd pricing. My guess is that it's all based on percentage margin over cost from two different sources charging two different prices. Percentages are usually automated.
 
Jul 27, 2004 at 7:06 AM Post #11 of 16
Now that that's settled....does anyone have a better suggestion than the 708A? I mean, it is a good drive but it is an older one. Is the 712 any better than the 708 besides the burn speed?
 
Jul 27, 2004 at 7:10 AM Post #12 of 16
I know that Lite-On's can be bought for about $70 to $80 on Newegg, last time I checked... I honestly don't think there's THAT much difference in speeds... that one is also an 8X burner. If you shelve out about $30 or so more, I've seen 12X burners online...
 
Jul 27, 2004 at 7:20 AM Post #15 of 16
I read that the NEC is a very good writer, but not a very good reader. I'm looking for it to do both well. I saw the deal on newegg earlier this morning and I was very interested because of the price, but I don't want to spend money on two different drives when I could just get one.

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Revi...9803&PageId=16
 
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