What is OEM?

[Andrew Jolly]

What does OEM stand for, and what exactly does it mean?

I guess it must mean that you get less stuff for your buck, but what exactly do you miss out on. I am looking at getting windows XP, and Office Pro, should I just get the OEM Version?

A second question - I am going to install XP as a new operating system, but as it will be the first time I have done it, should I remove my current OS (windows 98) or just get the upgrade? Cost isn't really much of an issue

 

[btv]

Original Equipment Manufacturer

you'll get the disk and the key.thats all you'll need any way.
it wont come with the MS box or any manuals.

its best if you do a fresh install.a upgrade disk will do a fresh install,but you'll need the win98 disk.

 

[ekÆsine]

hmmm might want to see here, this was just asked:

http://www.techist.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15927