The "must be purchased with hardware" precept is mandated by the software publisher. In accordance,
Newegg.com customers must purchase some type of product which falls under the general category
of computer hardware in order to purchase applicable software.
Hardware is classified as any component that will be used when assembling a computer system (a hard drive, motherboard, processor and a floppy drive are all examples of merchandise that will qualify).
There is no specific or set price the hardware has to be, merely that there is some sort of eligible hardware present in the order itself.