Said of machines delivered without an operating system
(compare
bare metal). "We ordered 50 systems, but they all
arrived nude, so we had to spend a an extra weekend with the
installation tapes." This usage is a recent innovation
reflecting the fact that most PC clones are now delivered with
DOS or Microsoft Windows pre-installed at the factory. Other
kinds of hardware are still normally delivered without OS, so
this term is particular to PC support groups.
(1994-12-13)