Windows XP 64-bit to be sold as OEM only?

Microsoft is reporting that it will not allow consumers to purchase Windows XP 64-bit Extended Edition as a standalone product, rather it must be purchased in OEM form only.

This means that you will probably be able to purchase a copy from a system builder or authorized distributor with an appropriate piece of hardware to satisfy the OEM licensing terms, just as lots of people do today for OEM versions of Windows XP.

Although OEM copies of Windows XP are slightly cheaper than the retail editions available at most outlets (no fancy packaging or manual) they are not so popular for the less tech-savvy individuals who want simply to put the cd or dvd in the drive, click yes and then have the shiny new product install itself.

Expect to see sales of minimalist products that are just enough to meet the minimum criteria for the legitimate sale of an OEM copy of the product blossom both at your local neighbourhood privately owned-and-operated computer store and online. Will there be a run on $1 power cables to enable those that have 64-bit systems to purchase a legitimate copy?

Intel can hardly be complaining at the long delay Microsoft have had in delivering this product, for they are only now starting to get to grips with production of mainstream 64-bit AMD compliant chips. Heaven forbid chipzilla was slow to market for what will likely be the next big wave of cpus.

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Bleh does this have anything to do with AMD being the only chip manufacturer of 64-bit chips at this time?  I am not in the AMD camp but I like everyone to have a fair chance and I don\'t see why MS chose to take this route. :iono:

What is a OEM

OEM is

Original Equipment Manufacturing

It basically means that the particular version of that product does not come with a retail box, instructions or even the retail outer shell(example OEM cd burners have diferrent face plates, etc..)
OEM software products for example are generally required to be sold or bundled with hardware.

Anyways it\'s not like people who want the 64bit version were going to go out and buy it anyways, as opposed to downloading it.