What is an OEM hardware?

I've heard of OEM softwares that get pre-installed on new computers but what exactly is OEM hardware? I was going to buy a Microsoft Wired 500 keyboard for $11 and it was listed as "OEM Microsoft". Is it made by some other company and branded as Microsoft? Does it have the same build quality, key touch as other Microsoft keyboards?

 

OEM simply means that you have to biuld the computer your gonna use it on.

 

Product, in this case, a keyboard should be exactly the same. Documentation, CDs, boxing, flashy stuff may not be present.

 

Yup OEM hardware means you get the basics, the product will come with the basic minimum, usually a CD for the drivers and the device/item itself with or without a white/cardboard box. none of the additions of retail including no graphic art on the package

it's basically the same as retail just none of the extras, build quality is the same

 

It's like buying a tootsie pop... only the clerk at the 7eleven removes the wrapper before handing it over.

 

LOL That was easy to understand... So if I bought that keyboard at a store they would just give me the keyboard without packaging?!?

 

Brown boxed.

For example, you buy two 500gb HD, one Retail, one OEM. The retail will be in a nice glossy box with a hard clear plastic covering. The insides contains a coloured manual, warranty papers, etc. The OEM will be in a brown box with some bubble wrap, and warranty papers.

 

But why do OEM hardware products exist? Does it cost the company less to make the hardware without proper packaging, since the build quality is the same?

 

I think the idea is that it's meant for system builders, i.e. to be bundled and resold with a new computer system.

So, it may be lacking (compared to the retail version) in packaging, customer service/tech support, warranty (not sure about that one), and instruction manual.

For a keyboard, none of these things would really deter me from buying it, personally.

 

I've been researching this myself and it seems some OEM (hard drive in the case I compared) have a more limited (i.e. less) manufacter warranty. Continuing with my example, it varied from five years (in its retail version) to sixty days (in its OEM version).
For the rest, it's the same. It's still brand new and should function just as the retail version.

 

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. Essentially an OEM product is any product that you can typically find in the retail environment except without the colorful packaging and possibly software and retail tidbits like accessories etc. They are typically meant for Manufacturers that integrate the products into their systems. They tend to be cheaper also.