Fred McKenzie wrote:
In article ,
wrote:

An OEM optical drive (for example) will come in a plain bag with no
extras like software on CD or instructions whereas a "retail" one will
have a pretty box, CDs of software, etc.

So to a UK person buying computer supplies "OEM" tends to mean
cheaper, without frills, not what it seems to mean here.

Chris-

Suppose you have a brand X computer. It needs a new optical drive, so you
order one from the manufacturer. What you receive may have been made by
some other drive company, but it is the one specified by the computer
manufacturer for your particular model. That is an OEM part, as specified
by the Original Equipment Manufacturer. You shouldn't need software or
instructions, since those came with the computer when you bought it.

Not really what actually happens.

I order an 'OEM' CD/DVD drive without *any* indication of what
computer it's for so it can't be OEM in the sense that it's the same
as any originally fitted by the manufacturer.

What has evolved (certainly here in the UK) is that OEM means simply a
"without frills" item which may or may not be as originally specified
by the computer manufacturer.

--
Chris Green