Windows XP- OEM or Retail?

[Beware the Beast Man]

Another question I have before I build my machine is if I should buy the OEM version of XP, or spring for the retail version. I know OEM does not have an instruction book, but is there anything else missing from it that should be of concern? Needless to say, if I could save myself $100, I'm game.
Thanks!

[democracyindanger]

1. Instruction book? You don't need no stinking instruction book

I built my own box and got an OEM copy of XP Pro. Absolutely no difference, came with an installation guide--which you don't really need, but it's there.

And let's be frank--the "instruction book" will be little more than a bunch of pages that say "Go to microsoft.com for more information."

[Beware the Beast Man]

4. Precisely!

"Instruction books" ususally aren't worth the paper they're printed on. Thank you.

[tkmorris]

2. The real difference

between retain and OEM versions of Windows is transferability. If you purchase the retail version you own it, for life. If you need to upgrade the machine it is on you can transfer it to the new hardware.

An OEM version only gives you license to install it on the original hardware. If you upgrade the hardware Windows may stop working and at that point Microsoft will NOT help you.

Haqving said that I can tell you that 64 bit technology is about to take over the marketplace. Say, within two years it will dominate. A that point you will no longer want to keep XP anyway. The decision becomes this: do you think the machine you are installing windows XP on will outlast the OS? If so, buy the OEM no question. If not, buy retail,though you really only see benefit buying the retail version if you go through 2 sets of hardware and install it on a third. Frankly I don't see that happening.

Buy the OEM version.

[Beware the Beast Man]

3. It will definitely outlast the OS.

In picking out hardware, I planned for the long term. Thanks for the help!