Recovery System versus OS X Internet Recovery or Command-R versus Command-Option-R

epnk3765 wrote:

When you boot from the Apple Servers, does it do anything else that you know of?

It does not do anything apart from downloading the Recovery partition from them, but note that the Recovery partition downloaded contains the information to reinstall the original OS X version that came with the Mac. Because of this, I always recommend users to use the Recovery HD partition included in their Macs instead of Internet Recovery, which is good in case you have serious issues that prevent you from using the Recovery partition

epnk3765 wrote:

So when you use the Command-Option-R when you boot up; all I notice it does is eventually get you to the OS X Utilites where as Command-R brings you there too.

Then you have to erase your hard drive and then download Mavericks.

That applies if your Mac came with OS X Mavericks, but not if it came with an older version. For example, if your Mac came with OS X Mountain Lion, you will be installing OS X Mountain Lion if you start up your Mac holding Command, Option (Alt) and R keys, and always after erasing the hard drive.

Another thing you should note is that you do not need to erase the hard drive in order to reinstall OS X if you start up your Mac holding Command and R keys

When you boot from the Apple Servers, does it do anything else that you know of?

If you erase the drive using Disk Utility (within recovery), then internet recovery will reinstall the OS version that was originally installed, whereas the regular recovery always installs the currently installed version. Internet recovery should be used if you plan to sell your Mac in order to comply with the licensing requirements (the Mac must be sold with the original OS installed). You can also use it if you wish to revert to the original OS.

So how is it so much different to use the Command-Option-R over the Command-R since you have to download Mavericks anyways?

It isn't really much different at all. But, if your hard drive is damaged, you cannot use standard Recovery because your hard drive is where the recovery partition is stored.

Internet Recovery is necessary when you are unable to boot into standard Recovery which can happen if you need to replace your hard drive.

See here: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4718

Internet recovery boots from Apple's servers. It is for the event that your hard drive is damaged and you have to replace it. In that case, it will install the OS that shipped with the Mac.