[Ham-Computers] Re-brand vs OEM - was Choosing a compatible laptop

[Hsu, Aaron]

Sorry, had to step in here as there's often some confusion about what an
"OEM" manufacturer is and what a "re-brand" or "re-label" is.

OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) are companies that actually
manufacture and produce things (such as computers, parts, etc).  Some have
in-house designs that are sold to other companies who can then sell it under
the name of the OEM or under their own name - the latter would be
re-branding.  Cosmetic changes to the product may be done to make it *look*
different from a generic product, but the basic product itself is still the
same.  An example of this is to compare some of the VTech and AT&T cordless
phones - many models from both companies have the same basic look with
cosmetic changes, but the "guts" are the same.  Another variation is to
"Co-brand" where the look is of the product is changed and both the OEM's
and the buying company's name is put on the product, but the "guts" are
still essentially the same.  Cell phones fall in this category.

Many OEM's can also produce a product that is not of their own design.  In
this case, they are contracted by another party to manufacture a product
that the other party designed.  Or, they may be contracted to design a
product based on the other party's specifications.  Often, the OEM does not
specify any requirements of the finished product; however, they are
responsible to make sure the product meets the requirements of the
contracting company.  The contracting company also has final say as to
whether the product the OEM produced fulfills the specified requirements and
they usually pull product "off-the-line" to ensure the product continues to
meet spec.  The most well known contractor here in the U.S. is our federal
government.  Our government really doesn't have any manufacturing capibility
of their own - they contract with others (OEM's) to manufacture everything
they need (e.g.  most of our military arsenal).

In the laptop computer industry, there are *very* few actual OEM's of
laptops and it's true that many companies just rebrand an OEM's design.
However, I can tell you for a fact that Compaq, Toshiba, and IBM do not
re-brand OEM laptops.  Compaq has a full design center and contracts OEMs to
produce product.  IBM also designs all their laptops in-house, but I'm not
sure if they still manufacture in-house.  Toshiba is *VERY* proud to say
that they are a company that designs and builds all of their laptops
in-house.  They go even further by stating that most, if not all, the
components used are manufactured in-house by Toshiba (or subsidiaries).
This is one of their key selling points often brought up in sales
presentations.

I'm not familiar Quantas computer, so I can't comment on their quality, but
it sounds like you've had good luck with them.  However, I am a bit leary
that they would say that Compaq re-brands laptops.  Granted, they don't
manufacture laptops in-house anymore, but they definitely are not
re-branded.


Respectfully submitted & 73,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O (ex-KD6DAE)
    {nn6o}@arrl.net
    {athsu}@unistudios.com
    No-QRO Int'l #1,000,006
    . -..- - .-. .-   ".... . .- ...- -.--"
 

p.s.  Doc, if you could send me a link to where it states that Compaq
re-brands, it would be greatly appreciated.  I'd like to read and make sure
something didn't get lost in the translation, so-to-speak...  =)


-----Original Message-----
From: Colburn [mailto:kd4e@arrl.net]
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] RE: Choosing a compatible laptop


Rolly,

   I recommend www.powernotebooks.com  great pre & post sale tech
support.  Also, great user support discussion lists hosted by the
company.

   Also, they explain where most laptops are made and which
manufacturers re-brand which -- I bought a Quantas because they are
among the best -- according to their site Compaq and others merely
re-brand laptops made by others.

   Have fun ...

-- 
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