OEM?

[LugwidVanB]

Newegg has Windows XP HOME Edition With Service Pack 2 -OEM on sale today for $91. I can't remember what OEM means. Can you enlighten me? Is this inferior to one not OEM? I also see some have COA (Cert of Authenticity) and some don't. Is this one lacking the COA and if so what does this mean? Thanks.

[Bill]

In the case of Windows, OEM means you get a "getting started" reference guide.  With the Retail version you get a "Help" book, a more extensive guide.

With things like processsors, OEM is just the chip, retail typicaly includes a heatsink and fan.

[LugwidVanB]

Thanks luddite

[query]

The OEM version of Windows must be purchased with hardware - MS has been cracking down on that, and most vendors will require that you purchase a mainboard or other major system component to be able to buy the OEM copy.