Looking to learn how to get a free laptop?
Yes, there are ways to get one for free! In fact, I have received two free laptops before.
I have also given away over 5 laptops over the years.
Whether you need one for school, work, or just for fun, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on a new laptop.
You may be able to get one for pretty cheap or even free. If you are looking to save some money, then finding ways to get free stuff can help you spend less money.
Key Takeaways
- There are many real ways to get a free laptop through different programs and community groups.
- For some of the ways below, you may need to be low income. For others, it may involve winning or earning a laptop. It all just depends on where you’re trying to get a free laptop from.
- Buy Nothing groups on Facebook can be a great place where you can get a laptop without paying.
- Your local library might also be a resource. Sometimes they partner with tech companies to provide laptops for people in need. It’s worth asking them if they have any programs you can benefit from.
- For college students, some universities offer free laptops as part of their financial aid packages, especially if you demonstrate financial need. Make sure to check with your college’s financial aid office.
- It might take some time and work, but in the end, you can have your own laptop without spending money.
Best Ways To Get Free Laptops
If you need a free laptop, several programs and organizations are willing to help. Each program has its own rules about who can get a free laptop. You should check if you fit the criteria, like your income or if you’re under the poverty line. Do some research and apply to the programs that you qualify for.
Be aware that if you’re getting help from sources like TANF, SSI, SSDI, Welfare, Food Stamps, etc., accepting things like property, gifts, money, or services (extra income) might impact or stop your current benefits. I highly recommend reaching out to TANF, SSI, SSDI, Welfare, Food Stamps, etc. if you have questions about this.
Below are the best places to get a free laptop.
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1. Buy Nothing groups
If you’re looking for a free laptop, you might have luck with Buy Nothing groups. These groups are all about giving and getting items for free in your local community.
The goal is to reuse things instead of buying new, which can save you money.
Buy Nothing groups are local communities where people share things they don’t need anymore. They use websites and social media to connect.
To join, look for a group in your local area. You might find them on social media platforms like Facebook (simply head to Facebook and search for “Buy Nothing” + your city or county name). Once you’re in, you can ask if anyone has a laptop to give away.
Remember, someone else might really need something you have, too, so don’t forget to also give away anything you have but don’t have use for, as that is what makes Buy Nothing groups great.
Just the other day in a Facebook Buy Nothing group I’m in, someone was giving away a laptop. I also saw someone who posted a request for a laptop, and there were several people who wanted to help them out and offered up their used laptop. So, while you will not get a brand new laptop from this group, you will most likely have someone who is willing to help you.
2. Ask friends and family
When you’re in need of a laptop, don’t overlook the people closest to you. Reach out to your family members and friends because sometimes they might upgrade to a new computer and have a spare one lying around.
I have to upgrade laptops often due to my business being 100% online, and I go through laptops every couple of years due to the extensive use they get from me. I give away every single one of my old laptops to a friend or family member for free, and it’s an easy way to help someone else out.
Also, keep your eyes open for community events. Sometimes local tech drives collect and distribute used laptops to those in need. Your friends and family might know about these events, so it helps to ask around and see if anyone knows of anything like this happening near you.
3. Answer online surveys and get free gift cards for free laptop
You can earn free gift cards by answering online surveys, and you can use these gift cards to help you get a free laptop.
So, this would work like this – You could get free gift cards to places like the Apple Store or even to Amazon as a reward for answering online surveys. You can simply collect gift cards until you reach the amount that you need to buy the laptop that you want.
To get started, you’ll want to find a survey site that you trust. Some of my favorites are:
I recommend signing up for all of them so that you can get the most surveys possible to answer, which will then pay you with more gift cards.
There are also other apps that you can use as well to get free gift cards, such as Fetch Rewards and Ibotta.
I get free gift cards all the time, and just the other day, I logged into several of the accounts that I am signed up for (such as Fetch) and turned in my points. This led to me getting $275 in free Amazon gift cards. I personally like to wait until I have a lot of gift cards that I can redeem at once, like for a laptop!
How this works:
- Sign up on the survey site.
- Fill out some surveys.
- Get points for each survey you do.
- Trade your points for gift cards.
Now, this does take time. You won’t get a laptop in one day. But if you keep doing surveys, your gift cards will add up.
Recommended reading: 16 Real Ways To Earn Free Gift Cards (Amazon, Target, Visa)
4. Affordable Connectivity Program
If you need a laptop and money is tight, you might qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This program is here to help you if your income is low.
If your household qualifies, you can get a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from certain providers.
You’re likely able to get help if your income for the whole year is less than twice the amount the government says is the lowest you can get by on. That’s called the Federal Poverty Line. Also, if you’re getting help from other government programs like SNAP, free public school lunches, Social Security disability, LIHEAP, Supplemental Security Income, or Medicaid, you might qualify too.
Applying is pretty easy. You can fill out a form online, send one in the mail, or talk to your current internet company.
Remember, this program is to make sure that you can use the internet just like everyone else without worrying too much about how much it costs.
5. Compudopt
Compudopt is a company that gives out free computers.
They take donated computers, fix them up, and make sure they have tech software loaded on them.
To get a computer from Compudopt, you must sign up for a giveaway for a laptop. Since there are so many people who apply, they do giveaways to determine who gets a free laptop.
For a chance at a free computer, you must not have a working computer at your home. Plus, there should be a student in your home in grades K-12 (up to age 26).
6. Computers for Kids
If you’re a young student and need a computer, Computers for Kids might be what you’re looking for. They have given away over 50,000 free laptops over the years and serve the states of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Utah.
This nonprofit organization takes donated computers, makes them as good as new, and gives them away for free. They’re all about helping kids who might not be able to get a computer any other way.
To get started, you can simply head to their website and fill out an application. You can apply for a free laptop if you are in school (anywhere from kindergarten to college).
Then, you’ll have to write an essay explaining why you want a free computer and what you will use it for. Each child in a household can receive a free computer.
7. Computers with Causes
Computers with Causes is an organization that gives out free laptops to individuals and families who can’t afford a computer. They review each application carefully, so you have to give them good reasons why you need some tech help.
Their main emphasis is the assistance of people who are students, teachers, and parents, the elderly, foster homes, shelters, disabled U.S. veterans, and struggling military families.
To get started, you fill out an application on their website. You’ll share some personal info and explain how a computer could make a big difference in your life. Maybe you need it for school or to find a job.
Once you send your application, patience is important. They get a lot of requests and can’t help everyone right away. If you’re picked, they’ll contact you, and you’ll get a free laptop plus even computer training if needed.
8. PCs for People
PCs for People is an organization that gives away free laptops if you meet certain qualifications.
This is mainly an internet services company; they do give out free laptops as well. To be eligible, you usually have to show that your income is below a certain level or that you’re part of a government assistance program (like the free school lunch program, SNAP, and others).
To show you’re eligible, you’ll need to show documents that prove your income or proof of participation in a government assistance program. Also, you’ll have to submit a picture of your driver’s license, passport, or some other type of ID.
9. The Freecycle Network
Freecycle might be a good place for you to look if you want a free laptop in your local area. It’s a website where people give away things they don’t need anymore. Someone might be giving away a laptop that still works just fine.
When you visit Freecycle, you will find a bunch of items for free. The idea is to keep good stuff out of landfills. You can search for laptops in your local area.
Here’s how to use Freecycle:
- Sign up: You need a free account to join.
- Search: Look for a laptop in the “Offers” section or post in the “Wanted” section.
- Contact: If you find a laptop, send a message to the owner to arrange picking it up.
Freecycle is all about timing. New things are posted every day so check the site often. And be fast to reply if you see a laptop offered.
10. Enter contests for free laptops
I have actually won two different laptops over the years – and they were both MacBooks! So, whether you want a MacBook or something else, there is a possibility that you can win a laptop. I did and they were easy giveaways where I just entered my name and email address.
If you’re looking for a laptop and your budget is tight, entering contests might be a way to get a free laptop. There are many businesses, websites, and social media accounts that hold contests where laptops are prizes. Plus, there are not usually financial assistance or federal poverty level eligibility requirements in order to enter giveaways or contests.
If you want a free laptop, entering sweepstakes and giveaways can be an easy way. The only downside is there’s no guarantee you’ll win anything – it all depends on luck. So, it might take some time before you win your first prize, if you do at all.
The good thing is, you don’t need any special skills. You just enter giveaways!
It’s all about entering as many giveaways as you can.
A popular way to find sweepstakes and giveaways is by following your favorite companies or brands on social media like Instagram because they may have contests where you can win free laptops and other things.
You can also find sweepstakes and giveaways by searching for specific hashtags on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. People use these hashtags to help the contests reach more people. I used to enter giveaways a lot, and this is how I found them all the time.
Some hashtags to search or follow include:
- #sweepstakes
- #giveaway
- #giveawayalert
- #contest
- #freebie
You can also find sweepstakes websites through a Google search. These websites list all the available sweepstakes and giveaways, making it easier for you to find many to enter on one site. I have signed up for many of these so that I could enter as many giveaways as possible.
Similar to this, you may also find scholarships available to undergraduates for a laptop giveaway that you can enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to get a free laptop.
How can I get a new laptop for free?
You can get a new laptop for free by looking for programs that donate them to students and low-income individuals or through contests. Some organizations give away free laptops if you meet certain requirements like being in school or having a low income.
How can I win a free laptop?
You can win a free laptop by entering contests and giveaways. I have won two free laptops in the past!
Can I get a free laptop from Google?
I could not find anything that said Google gives away laptops for free. However, they may give discounted or subsidized devices through educational partnerships or certain programs for students and schools.
What college gives you a free MacBook?
Some colleges, especially technical or art schools, give a free MacBook Pro, iPad, or even a Dell laptop when you enroll in their programs as a part-time or full-time first-year student at their school. These are usually included in your tuition fees so be sure to read the policies before you apply.
Some colleges include Northwest Missouri State University, Oklahoma State University, Alabama State University, Auburn University, California State University, Chatham University, Wake Forest University, and University of Arkansas, but please be sure to check with them directly for more up-to-date information. There are many schools that will help undergraduate students get low-cost computers or low-cost laptops as well.
How can low-income individuals get a laptop at no cost?
If you’re on a low income or qualify with other eligibility criteria like medical assistance or the free school lunch program, you may qualify for a free laptop through some organizations like Compudopt, Computers for Kids, and Computers with Causes. There are more ways that aren’t listed above too, such as the Alliance for Technology Refurbishing and Reuse (AFTRR) and the Lifeline program, that you may want to look into as well.
Are there local places where I can get a free laptop?
My favorite way would be to check your local Buy Nothing group. You also can check local places like libraries, community centers, nonprofit organizations, Freecycle, Craigslist, local schools, and community programs that might also have options for residents to get a free laptop.
How to get a free laptop from the government?
The government sometimes offers free or discounted laptops through different federal or state programs for low-income families. You may need to be enrolled in certain programs and resources like public assistance to qualify.
Does Amazon give you a laptop to work from home?
This is a common question I see a lot so I did some research. It looks like if you get hired as a “Remote Customer Service Associate” at Amazon, then you will most likely be shipped an Amazon-owned laptop along with other items (such as a headset).
How To Get A Free Laptop – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to get a free laptop.
If you need a new computer and don’t have a lot of money, getting a free laptop might not be too hard and is a real possibility. You just need to look in the right places and for free laptop programs because there are programs and groups that want to help people access technology without paying a ton of money.
They might give laptops to low-income individuals, for education, or through community sharing. It takes some time and research, but you can find ways to get a laptop for free.
If someone gives you a laptop, show your appreciation. I recommend a simple thank you note, which can go a long way.
What other ways to get a free laptop are there? Please share in the comments below.
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