Retail will be the same packaging and software and accessories that you get when you buy from say Best Buy, OEM will come in either bubble wrap or a plain brown box and may or may not include software or accessories needed for installation.
BenQ DW 165X if you can still find them or the 1640, zipzoomfly still has some of the 165X's in stock for around $40. My next choice would be NEC 3550 with the Litey running a close third.
Those benqs do sell like hotcakes,so they'll disappear very quick!!!
Yo klinger: You can't go wrong with either one,unless fed ex drops it, LOL
1655- Lightscribing
1650- No lightscribing
Depends if the lightscribing ability is desired. Both are fantastic drives. Can't go wrong with either one. I've heard the lightscribing will wear out a drive quicker.
Too bad all the 1640s got gobbled up. That is my best burner between all 4 of my benqs.Phenomenal booktyping drives.They love the plus format.Good luck on finding any stand alone players that'll give you a no disc error after booktyping the plus media to dvd-rom.
Beware of the BenQ DQ60 and the 1670. These have dvd-ram capability,but totally different chip sets.