Info about OEM

is what OEM stands for and its kind of a misnomer.

Basically an OEM creates components for manufacturers - Dell buys Video cards from ATI, GM buys radios from whoever - its the same concept.

You will often see OEM computer parts listed for sale - these are parts that were manufcatured to be included with computers. They often don't have the same packaging, manuals, and "bonus" software that retail compenents have. Sometimes they are from computer manufacturers selling off excess inventory, sometimes they are excess inventory from manufacturers.

There has been some discussion here in the past about OEM operating systems. From my understanding, if MS creates an OEM package for a computer vendor, then its illegal for that vendor tosee off its unused copies to the public. I wouldn't buy one.

On the other hand I have bought OEM computer parts on many occasions - sometimes they are subtly different from retail, but usually not a problem.

James