OEM vs retail network card

[Allen Weiner]

I'm looking for a network card to install in a six year old Dell Dimension
4100. Due to the age of this PC, I want to minimize expenditures on it. I
plan to set up the PC as a multi-boot Windows and Linux system.

I'm considering the Intel Pro 100M Desktop adapter network card. Retail
versions are available for around $35. Tiger Direct offers an OEM version
for $20.

Are there significant disadvantages to buying the OEM version of a network
card versus the retail version?

Windows and Linux drivers for the Intel Pro 100M are available at the Intel
web site.

I would like to have a diagnostic program for any network card I buy. This
does not to be available at the Intel web site. I expect that a diagnostic
program would be included on a CD with the retail version.

 

[Fitz]

Take a look at:

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/Skusearch.hmx?scriteria=3366920

They have a lot of other choices.

Fitz

 

[Allen Weiner]

Take a look at:

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/Skusearch.hmx?scriteria=3366920

They have a lot of other choices.

Fitz

I'm focusing on the Intel Pro 100M because the Intel network cards are
recommended in some of the Linux forums. Some of the cheaper network cards
are reported to not fully implement standards, and are buggy or have poor
performance.

 

[John Weiss]

Are there significant disadvantages to buying the OEM version of a network
card versus the retail version?

Windows and Linux drivers for the Intel Pro 100M are available at the Intel
web site.

I would like to have a diagnostic program for any network card I buy. This
does not to be available at the Intel web site. I expect that a diagnostic
program would be included on a CD with the retail version.

"OEM" hardware is often JUST the hardware with no documentation. OEMs are
assumed to know what they're doing.

I suspect you can find all the drivers and docs you need on the web site. I
don't know what diagnostics you think you need, but if you can't afford the $15,
you probably don't really need them...

 

[Larry Roberts]

I'm looking for a network card to install in a six year old Dell Dimension
4100. Due to the age of this PC, I want to minimize expenditures on it. I
plan to set up the PC as a multi-boot Windows and Linux system.

I'm considering the Intel Pro 100M Desktop adapter network card. Retail
versions are available for around $35. Tiger Direct offers an OEM version
for $20.

Are there significant disadvantages to buying the OEM version of a network
card versus the retail version?

Windows and Linux drivers for the Intel Pro 100M are available at the Intel
web site.

I would like to have a diagnostic program for any network card I buy. This
does not to be available at the Intel web site. I expect that a diagnostic
program would be included on a CD with the retail version.

The only difference is the retail comes in a nice, pretty box
with manuals, and driver disc (maybe even an ethernet cable). The OEM
is just the card, and driver disc. The manual usally is on disc.

 

[Conor]

I'm looking for a network card to install in a six year old Dell Dimension
4100. Due to the age of this PC, I want to minimize expenditures on it. I
plan to set up the PC as a multi-boot Windows and Linux system.

I'm considering the Intel Pro 100M Desktop adapter network card. Retail
versions are available for around $35. Tiger Direct offers an OEM version
for $20.

Are there significant disadvantages to buying the OEM version of a network
card versus the retail version?

Windows and Linux drivers for the Intel Pro 100M are available at the Intel
web site.

I would like to have a diagnostic program for any network card I buy. This
does not to be available at the Intel web site. I expect that a diagnostic
program would be included on a CD with the retail version.

Honestly I'd stayt away from that card if you're going to use Linux.
Far easier to get a dirt cheap no name branded one with a Realtek
chipset as every Linux distro I've used has good built in support for
the Realteks whereas I've had grief with the Intel Pro ones.

 

[Conor]

I'm focusing on the Intel Pro 100M because the Intel network cards are
recommended in some of the Linux forums. Some of the cheaper network cards
are reported to not fully implement standards, and are buggy or have poor
performance.

THey don't. I use a £3 ($5) Realtek 8029 based one.