As you're buying hardware anyway you're entitled to buy whichever OEM copy of the OS you feel like with the hardware, XPx64 or Pro would be advisable. Don't buy the full version ever as it's possible to buy the OEM version with a new hdd or memory for the same money as the full version.
Buit as I keep saying, just because you've bought the OEM version, installing it doesn;t result in a legal OS.
It's slightly more legal than pirating though - you're paying MS money, Windows Genuine Advantage is quite happy that you've got a legal copy and windows update is similarly happy.
To be perfectly frank, I couldn't give a bollocks if I don't meet all the requirements for Microsofts OEM licensing. So long as it's a legal serial number and it's been bought then I don't see the problem. It's a bit like MS stating that OEM stuff isn't transferrable. That's crap as well. Just the same as I can transfer a CD drive or a sound card across when I replace my PC, I see no justifyable reason why I can't transfer a legal OS across as well. Sometimes MS are just to greedy for their own good.
Eeh, you are funny with your leaping through hoops justification about piracy. You were doing this about audio CDs before too, I remember. Just deal with it!
I don't like to. I take a simple approach in that if I've paid for software then it should be legal for me to do pretty much what I want with it short of obviously making loads of copies or installing it everywhere etc.
Yes but then you go on about how it's not piracy, it's morally justifiable blah blah blah. There's no need! Strictly speaking, it's illegal! Getoverit! No one will arrest you.
Technically it is piracy, but I do think it's morally justified. And I'm glad nobody will arrest me. Because that would suck :(
I would like Microsoft to link my software licenses to my .NET Live account, or whatever Passport's called now. Then I could use my software on any machine I logged into.