>>Yeah, the OEM software is legit as long as you buy a piece of hardware with it (ie, a stick of RAM, a cable, a jumper, etc...)

Is that enough ? I thought the OEM licensing agreements were all pretty clear that the software was for pre-installation and delivery on a new PC only.

For anyone outside the computer industry, most software vendors will sell their products much more cheaply to a PC manufacturer who includes their software with each new PC they sell. The discounts are pretty significant, can be up to 80% but normally more like 50%.

Anyone who puts a shingle up saying "lookee lookee I'm a PC builder" can usually buy at OEM prices which are usually lower than the CompUSAs etc.. pay for retail product. They're not supposed to re-sell OEM software to end users but it happens a lot and seems to be accepted by the SW mfgs.

IMO they would do better to just lower the retail price (since hardly anyone pays that anyways) and stop being perceived as ripping everyone off.

2x6, didn't you get a new car with a different tranny ?

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