I have always thought that the definition of plug & play was that there is no software installation necessary for a product to work. The product is ready to be used right out of the box, just plug it in and go. Isn't this correct?

I have always thought that the definition of plug & play was that there is no software installation necessary for a product to work. The product is ready to be used right out of the box, just plug it in and go. Isn't this correct?

I think that it means that the software to run the item is already on the computer and windows automatically detects the device and auto installs the proper software quickly and then you can use it right away. Or at least that is how it is supposed to work! Just MHO.

Mike

I believe Plug & Play is more related to the operating system, in that it contains a library of drivers with an auto-search program will launch, search, & install a driver when unrecognized hardware is detected.

That said...

When manufacturers state that it is a plug & play device it is because they know the autosearch feature will find & install their driver.

Hmm..

http://webopedia.com/TERM/p/plug_and_play.html