Has anyone bought or know what the actual difference between these is except about 100+ bucks or more depending where you buy. I assume that the OEM version comes without manuals, maybe just a disk, but the software is the same?

Do you still need to call microsoft for activation? Is THAT information provided?

Could someone help out with this please? Can a computer literate person get buy with the oem version?

Thanks,

I bought the OEM version, came with cdrom, getting started manual and a sticker with cdkey.

Please do not multiple post the same question, it is against the forum rules!

I answered this for you in the open forum where you also posted this. ;)

My apologies Lazza, I'm used to the PS2 forums where response is very quick and some of these others don't seem to get the same traffic so I wanted to "spread around" the question...

I believe Lazza has given you a pretty clear answer on OEM vs Retail in Open forum. Also, you will need to know that the OEM version is only supported by the PC manufacturers whose PCs come with the OEM package. On the other hand, the retail version will be supported by M$.

As said, please DON'T double-post.