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In this modern world, having a laptop is as important as breathing. You need them to study, work, or connect with friends and family.
According to Statista, the revenue of the laptop market is expected to grow by $20.9 billion. With these numbers, we can say that it’s rare to find an adult who doesn’t own one.
But laptops can be so expensive, right? Or even if you can afford to buy one, you might want to spend that money on more essential things such as rent, food, travel, or whatever it is you consider a necessity in your life.
So, if you’ve stumbled upon this post in your quest to find ways to get free stuff online or save money on a gadget – welcome!
Many people have already experienced receiving a free laptop in various ways. I know people who got it for free from the government. Even I, myself, experienced getting one, although as a gift from a loved one. I also gave away an old but functional MacBook not too long ago.
If you know where to look and which platforms to trust, finding ways to get a computer could be easy-peasy. Luckily, I have discovered some that will offer exciting opportunities for you. I never gatekeep, so let’s find out here!
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1. Educational Programs
Inflation doesn’t only drive up tuition fees but also makes students’ lives even more challenging. Imagine a student worrying about money, compounded by the fear of failing simply because he doesn’t have access to a computer. It’s heartbreaking.
Fortunately, as technology becomes a necessity for higher education, colleges, governments, NGOs, and even tech companies work hand in hand to provide educational programs where students can score free books and new laptops.
Typically, these programs are meant for students with financial needs. Some popular education programs are the following:
- Partners in Learning Grants – Microsoft supplies this program and aims to assist students in getting free laptops from the government.
- City Youth Kids – buys laptops for students ages 17 to 22, provided they are enrolled in college or in foster care.
- United States Agency for International Development Educational Programs – USAID provides laptops and learning materials to out-of-school youth. This is a worldwide campaign, but most of the beneficiaries come from developing countries in Asia and Africa.
- Your school – Many schools offer educational programs for students experiencing financial constraints. Ask your teachers, student organizations, or college financial aid office for the possibility of financial aid or a free laptop program.
Note: Never hesitate to ask anyone who you believe might have the information on where to acquire a new laptop, whether that person is from the government, school, or a friend. You may be surprised at what you will find.
2. Non-Profit Organizations
If you think the world is losing humanity, think of non-profit organizations. These organizations are doing fantastic work, and the people behind them are wonderful individuals with generous hearts.
You might have known them as the primary support in times of calamities such as typhoons, earthquakes, and war, giving away free clothes, food, medicine, etc. However, it’s a not-so-hidden secret that some offer free laptops, too.
To apply for their programs, you need to meet specific requirements. Typically, a school registration or proof of income. However, note that NPOs also rely on donations, so not everyone looking for free laptops may be catered to.
The application process also takes time as they accommodate many people and conduct background checks. So, patience indeed is a virtue.
Here are non-profit organizations that offer a free laptop for low-income individuals:
- Computer with Causes – provides refurbished computers to those in need, like students, people in foster care, veterans, senior citizens, etc. Their laptops are gifted by donors from charities, businesses, and generous people. Fill out this online form to apply for a free laptop online.
- The On It Foundation – this organization provides laptops and offers computer training for a better career prospect. To qualify, a household must have one child receiving reduced or free lunches at a public school.
- PCs for People – offers refurbished laptops to qualified recipients from Ohio, Colorado, Missouri, Minnesota, and Maryland. Some of their eligibility requirements include enrollment at an income-based government education program and proof of income showing below the 200% poverty level.
3. Government Assistance Programs
Have you ever wondered whether a stash of free laptops is hidden from a government’s filing cabinets? Well, guess what? The rumors are true! So, if you have a friend who says he receives a free laptop from the government, believe them.
If you’re a student, a person with a disability, a senior citizen, a veteran, or someone from a low-income family, you might be eligible to score a laptop (even free money!) from government assistance programs. Yes, this information is better than Area 51 conspiracy theories because this is FACTS.
Kidding aside, the government truly offers various programs to make technology accessible to marginalized communities. The best example of this is the Lifeline Support Program, which offers discounted phone services to less fortunate individuals.
To avail of federal assistance programs, check your eligibility on Benefits.gov. Once you’re in the clear, you could score financial assistance to purchase a laptop or even have the device shipped directly to you from various departments, such as the following:
- Connect Home by the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)
- Computers for Learning by General Services Administration (GSA) and Department of Defense
- Rural Housing Service Program by USDA
These are just government laptop grants that some federal states offer. There are many more, and grants may vary depending on your location and financial circumstances.
It is best to research available programs in your area to see if you qualify for a free laptop or whether the programs still accept beneficiaries.
For instance, you might be eyeing the Affordable Connectivity Program, but unfortunately, it has stopped accepting new applicants, and funding will end in April of this year.
4. School and University Programs
For students about to enter college, skip this part and move to section #10, as the information there might be more helpful for you. However, for those stuck in a college where a laptop is not included in their tuition fee, or they broke their computer during the semester, sit still.
Some universities offer laptop programs to help students save money. Most of them are in the form of financial aid, laptop loans from libraries (i.e., Cornell University Library), and some offer free laptop giveaways for academic use.
Schools may not announce these programs upon enrollment, or maybe they do, but you didn’t pay attention because you still have a functioning laptop back to them.
Regardless of the reason, your best option to know whether your school is giving away free laptops is to ask your school’s financial aid office.
To inquire, you could phrase your question like this: “I’m interested in exploring options for obtaining a laptop for my studies. Could you please provide information on any available free laptop programs in this office?”
However, if you’re too shy about the idea of getting a free laptop, you can approach the topic indirectly by talking about financial aid or tech programs currently being offered by the school. Once they ask you which type of assistance you need, you can mention that you need a laptop. Simple!
5. Craigslist and Local Classifieds
Craigslist and Local Classifieds should be your first stop when looking for something free (yes, not only laptops!). From clothes and pet supplies to electronics, you can get a wide array of free items on these platforms.
As for Craigslist, you’re not only limited to finding free stuff, but you can also make money through this site by selling items for a bargained price. Do you have old tables, chairs, or cabinets you want to dispose of? Feel free to sell used furniture and use the funds to buy a new laptop.
On the free section of this site, though, you can find random items for grabs. Refine the many options you see by entering “free laptop” or “free MacBook” into the search bar.
Meanwhile, if you like a localized way of getting a free laptop, you can check on some Facebook groups to see whether free laptops are being offered. Like Craigslist, Facebook has an algorithm where you can reach out to people giving away used laptops in your area.
6. Freecycle and Free Sharing Platforms
People give away stuff they don’t use on free sharing platforms like Freecycle and Buy Nothing. These platforms focus on having a community of people who share their stuff and keep them out of landfills.
Through these sites, one can declutter their space while the other can fill their home with things they need without spending money. Plenty of folks are also offering up free laptops on here, too.
Nope, we’re not talking about battered gadgets. These are fully functional, ready-to-rock laptops that can still ace your school assignments or work tasks. Anyone who wishes to have them could be chosen.
These platforms usually work this way:
- People offer their unwanted items at home to the online community.
- It thrives on a pay-it-forward spirit. So, people who give away free items also have the chance to get something in return.
- Members are encouraged (not required) to offer things they don’t need.
- It is usually on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To get a free laptop, sign up to these sites and join some online groups. Once you’ve found a community, you can browse the items offered for free and make a request. However, note that no one is required to grant your request.
To effectively snatch the item you truly want, read the community guidelines. Some groups may require you to offer something free before you can request an item without charge.
7. Contents & Giveaways
Contents and giveaway events give you fun opportunities to win fabulous prizes. For instance, HGTV often hosts a dream home giveaway. Radio stations reward a lucky caller with a free concert ticket.
Are there certain laptop brands that you love? Show your support and give them a follow because, like other brands, they often organize contests and giveaways where you can get a laptop.
Some brands you might want to follow are:
- Apple
- Asus
- Samsung
- LG
- Canon
- Dell
- HP
- Sony
- Toshiba
Even if it takes luck to win a free laptop, it’s usually easy to join. Sometimes, it only requires sharing their post, tagging a friend, or leaving a product review. Read the rules carefully, and don’t ever participate in events that ask for your bank account numbers or Social Security numbers.
Besides lurking on their social media pages, visiting their websites and subscribing to their email newsletters might also pay off. This way, you will be updated for upcoming deals and special promotions.
8. Local Library Lending
Nowadays, libraries are more than just shelves, piles of books, and bookcases. Even people reading physical books and busy librarians writing on card catalogs are a thing of the past. Some, if not all, are already embracing the digital era, offering more than just books.
So, if you wonder whether libraries are still useful these days, the answer is YES they are, especially since most of them have kept up with the times.
Libraries have also welcomed the world of laptop lending, providing patrons with a cost-effective way to use the gadget without breaking the bank.
Oh, yeah, you can’t own the laptop from the library, but at least you can use a free computer temporarily on the days you need it most. It’s a cost-effective solution whether you need it for study, work, applying for a job, or you’re still saving to buy a new one.
Local library lending programs offer user-friendly policies where you can borrow a laptop for around 3 hours or more. Laptop kits include a mouse, power cord, and software like the MS Office Suite and internet browsers. Don’t worry about internet access since the library also has you covered with that.
To avail of this service, present your physical/e-library card with you. Borrowing a laptop is also on a first-come, first-serve basis. But if you’ve built a rapport with librarians, they might reserve one for you.
Pro tip: Make friends and maintain a positive relationship with librarians by being polite and ensuring all borrowed items are returned in the same condition as when you received them.
9. Educational Grants and Scholarships
This doesn’t happen all the time, but on the days when I’m overwhelmed with adult responsibilities, I find myself wishing I could go back to college.
I mean, during this time, it feels like you’re on your own, but those were the days when numerous institutions, organizations, scholarship programs, and educational grants were in place to provide support and ensure our welfare. Also, our parents were still too young to support us then, but we mostly neglected these perks because we were too busy growing old.
So, if you’re in or about to enter college, let me remind you never take these benefits for granted. They don’t come often come adulthood; thus, if you’re looking for a computer, some of your options are to look for educational grants and scholarships.
The best example of this program is the Dell Scholars. Besides giving away free laptops for students, the scholarship also provides $20,000 and $2000 worth of textbook credits and mental health support. To avail, you must be in 11th or 12th grade with a GPA of 2.4 or above.
Most education grants and scholarships target low-income families and students with outstanding grades. They usually partner with universities, so research whether your school collaborates with government or non-profit organization programs.
It also pays off preparing in advance, whether excelling at school or accomplishing documents, as most grants and scholarship programs are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
10. Attend Colleges with Free Laptops
I was not a student anymore when the COVID-19 pandemic happened. But even if I wasn’t, I could imagine the stress of relying on computers and the Internet to attend classes. Not to mention, some students didn’t own one and had to borrow from their family members to do school work.
Luckily, a few colleges offer free laptop programs as part of their student support services. Some of these schools loan laptops until graduation, give out computers, or offer massive discounts to help students save money.
Many universities offer these kinds of programs. Just type in the keywords “Universities offering free laptops” on the Google search bar, and you’ll see a long list of schools giving free laptops.
Some universities that give free laptops to students are the following:
- Full Sail University
- Dakota State University
- Indiana State University
- The University of Minnesota Crookston
- Moravian University
There are a lot more, to be honest. If you are not yet in college and looking for a university, you can research schools where you can get a free laptop. If you’re already in college, check out your financial aid for any possible assistance programs you can avail of.
11. Competition and Hackathons
The fun thing about the Internet is that you could have the most unique hobbies and interests, yet you can still find many people within the World Wide Web that support the same passion.
If you’re into gaming, coding, or programming, you can join tech-focused events, and laptops and cash prizes are up for grabs. Typically, events like these give away cash rewards, allowing you to decide what to do with them—splurging on laptops or investing in other tech goodies.
If they give you cash, it’s like saying, “Here’s the power to upgrade your setup or maybe even fund your next big tech project!” But how could you find events like these? Well, you can find a lot of like-minded people on the internet; they could be YouTubers, tech companies, organizations, schools, etc.
There are also a lot of tech competitions and hackathons happening this year. Some of the most popular annual competitions are the ones organized by tech giants like Microsoft, which annually hosts the Imagine Cup for students and Google Solution Challenge for student developers. These two big competitions offer generous prices with travel and accommodations included.
12. Ask friends & family
Oprah Winfrey isn’t the only person who gives out free laptops just because she wants to. Do you know the easiest way where you could get one wholeheartedly? Ask friends and family!
Maybe your birthday is coming up, or your loved ones hold holiday parties where exchanging gifts is part of the event. If so, you know the drill – ask, and you shall receive.
Tell them that you know that a laptop as a gift might be too much, but right now, it’s something you really want and need most.
To make the situation lighter, you could say this as a joke. For example: “Oh, my birthday is just around the corner. It’s not like I’m asking for a golden unicorn, but a sleek, shiny MacBook in silver will make my life in this economy more bearable.”
Most people don’t want to play the guessing game, and it’s worth it to tell them upfront what you want. Make it clear as well that any gift is fine as long as it’s from the heart.
FAQs
1. How can I get a new laptop for free?
There are many ways to get a new laptop for free. But let me categorize it for you:
- Government Assistance and Educational Programs
- Non-profit organizations (charities and foundations)
- Online Websites (Craigslist, Facebook, Freecycle, and Buy Nothing)
- Contests (tech hackathons, e-sports, IQ contests, influencer and brand giveaways)
- School / University (library lending, educational programs, and scholarships)
- Public Libraries
- Gifts from friends and family
2. How can I get a free laptop from Google?
You can get a free laptop from Google through their loaner program, giveaways, and competitions.
- Google Loaner Program
This one works like the library lending program, where you can borrow a laptop within the area and return it later. If your office recently partnered with Google, you will likely temporarily use a computer for free. This program aims to ensure productivity in the workplace in case a laptop doesn’t function or someone has forgotten to bring their device.
- Giveaways
Giveaways are once in a blue moon, but when they are available, expect generous prizes. Keep yourself updated on their upcoming promotions.
- Competitions
If you’re a student or tech-savvy, feel lucky. You are Google’s top priority! The company organizes several contests annually. Some of their upcoming competitions are Solution Challenge for developers and Doodle for Google for students. You can’t win laptops from these contents, but you can use the prize money to buy a new one.
3. How to get a free laptop from Amazon?
You can get a free laptop from Amazon in two ways:
- Standby for Giveaway Announcement
During holidays and other significant events, Amazon often launches laptop giveaways in partnership with tech companies. Also, you can check out Amazon’s Deal and Lightning deals page. While these sections don’t offer free laptops, you can buy any gadgets at a lower price.
Tip: Register as an Amazon Prime Student, as most giveaways and discounts are specially tailored for them. Speaking of discounts, you can try the Amazon Trade-In program to trade your old laptop for money. You can use the cash you earn to buy a new laptop or add it to your savings.
- Work for their Customer Service
Amazon outsources people to be part of their customer service team. Some job positions include online taskers, transcriptionists, and call center representatives. These jobs are done remotely where you can get a complimentary laptop after training.
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