How to get a free computer
Day in and day out people ask me if I can get them a “cheap” computer. It’s taken a while, but I’ve figured out what they actually want is a FREE computer. I came to this conclusion because anytime you mentioned a really good deal on a computer that you have seen they start twitching and convulsing when you get the part about “and it only costs…” At that point I started finding free and very low cost computers for people and believe it or not it is easier than you might realize.
It should also be pointed out that this is about obtaining computer hardware. Computer software, including the Operating System is another matter altogether. It’s certainly available for free, but I’m not going to tell you that you can download almost every possible kind of software via bit torrent… Thanks for not asking!
- Free or just really cheap
- The first thing to determine is your budget. Free is a great goal, but sometimes it’s just not a realistic goal. For instance if you need something within a few hours you’ll be lucky to find a sale. On the other hand if you can wait for a few weeks or even a couple of months your chances of getting something free improve dramatically. Either way set a budget of the maximum amount you can/will spend on your new computer. Generally I set my budget to $25.00 and while not “free” compared to the cost of most computers $25.00 can’t often be beat.
Just to touch on a quick point. Most people would think something along the lines of a $25 computer being complete crap. More often than not that is not the case.
- Sources
- Once you’ve set a budget it’s time to find some sources.
- Recycling Center
- Get out your yellow pages and look for a community recycling center. In most towns it is illegal to just dump a computer in the trash. Which means most of them go to a recycling center. Call them up and ask if you can get some “spare parts” for your computer. Most of them will say yes come take whatever you want. I’ve walked off with 5 perfectly working computers and several computers good for spare parts in one trip. Usually when they say “take whatever you want” they mean it. They need to get rid of it to make room for more.
A few words of caution about community recycling centers. Sometimes they’ll charge you $5 or $10 to cover administrative costs. You should also be sure to take whatever you can. As I said before I walked off with 5 perfectly good computers, but I’ve also walked off with absolute junk. Obviously this method of securing a computer requires you to have some technical ability in the event you have to swap out parts and load software.
- Craig’s List
- If you’re not familiar with Craig’s List you’re missing out. One thing I’ve found effective is putting an ad in the “barter” section that looks something like this: Wanted free (or very cheap) later model computer. Willing to trade setup and 2 hours of instruction on your new computer if you’d like. As strange as it sounds it works and more often than not people just want you to get the computer off their hands and spend 5 minutes explaining to them how to something with their new computer.
If you also look in the “free” stuff section you’ll often find computers in there. One other good place I’ve found to look is in the community section (search for computers) and see what you come up with.
- Friends, neighbors, and family
- This is pretty much self explanatory. People are always getting rid of their computers. Simply letting people know you are looking for one can reap a windfall in short order. Don’t be afraid to ask or make known what you’re looking for. At worst they say no, at best…?
- Lessons I’ve learned
- We live in a disposable society. Sucks for the environment, but is pretty damn sweet for us poor chumps who want computers (and lots of other free things). You simply need to know where to look and the questions to ask. Not to mention who to ask those questions of. But it has to start somewhere. The following are some of the lessons I can share with you.
- Be realistic in what you want for free. It’s not going to be top of the line unless you absolutely fall into a great deal
- Be patient. Like I mentioned before think in terms of weeks and months
- Be willing to travel. Sometimes you have to go out of your way
- Have some technical skills or have a friend who does. Free things don’t always work
- At some point you will need computer help. Make friends with someone who does that kind of work
- Check early, check often for deals on Craig’s List
- Be flexible. It’s better to get something that works than nothing at all because you refused to budge on what you believed to be good
- If possible get more than one. You can then turn around and freely give to another person and bless them with a new (to them at least) computer.
Good luck in locating a new computer!
Hey, what ya mean? Linux is perfectly free. I have had good luck running it on various old computers. You can do just about anything with Linux and the only thing I have every really had problems with is sound cards. I even used it with dialup. Downloading Linux over dialup is a different story.
The rest is very good advice. You do have to be careful, though. Once word gets out that you will take old computers, your house will quickly start to fill up. Computers are like cats in that way.
*Free* to a loving home! Two computers, litter box trained. Quiet,great company. Never stray far, and don’t eat much at all. Call me!
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Karen – Problem with Linux is it has a learning curve that is more than most people want to deal with. Granted it’s better than it was, but it still pales in comparison to windows and mac when it comes to ease of use.
Candoman – I’ve felt the same way myself, lol
Some Linux distributions look just like Windows with custom wallpaper, except for easily-overlooked details like the text on the Start button and the lack of that blue ‘e’. Firefox on Linux works like Firefox on Windows, clickyclicking on a document icon starts the appropriate application. People have been known to sit down at a Linux machine and start browsing without noticing that it doesn’t have Windows. Installing Linux sometimes demands a little experience, but have you ever installed Windows on an empty machine without a preconfigured install CD?
Get a Mint or Ubuntu live CD and have a look. It will let you test a full Linux environment without writing anything to your hard disk until you tell it to. If you’re still stuck with dialup, find a Linux user and give him a blank CD-R.
Sir / Madam
I’m From Sri Lanka. I like to Studing Computer Language. But I Havent Computer. I’m Working in Labour . I havent get computer.
If You Can Present to computer I Thanks you.
My Address. Asanka Pradeeo Pieris,
76, Ganegoda, Narammala, SRI LANKA
Sorry Asanka I’m not into securing computers for other people, but perhaps someone else will be will to send you one. Never know…
I am a headmaster of secodary school and want computers that my students will use in order to be competent in technology.my nationality is Rwandese.
Sir / Madam
I’m Asanka Fron Sri lanka. I’m Work in Zonal Education Office Giriulla as a labour. But I ‘ Have Followed Informatin Technology Diploma in SLIDA in SRRI LANKA.
I Like to followed Online digree course in computer field. Someone help to followed this digree help me.
Thanks
Asanka
wanting information trying to get a computer so i can work from home
Tonya – And so now that you have information how’s the free computer coming along?
Hey i was reading this blog. I have searched everywhere and the only free computer i can find lead to scams. I also tried to buy one for 50.00 dollars but then i could not use it for school. Any suggestions?
i need Pc very very need plz some one care can some one gave me pc
I agree with you karen but you could you always mix and match parts and make a few decent computers!
But on the contraire Most places that offer FREE computers they are usually worthless or need a lot of work, but occationally you will find a really good deal.
I need a computer for school
Hi! i want to be a nigeria based computer dealer. although i have little money to start with. how can you link me up please with dealers in overseas countries. i want to mostly based on fairly used computers. thanks
im from australia in problem for studying so if someone can give me a new computer for free so it will be a proud for you to help a poor in debt, god bless you. if you can help me call 0432230476(only in australia) +61432230476 for foreigners.
thank you
want a brand new latest computer write me on saurabh.chandra1996@gmail.com
It’s funny thinking if anything in this world is ever free. Even if it was free in the first instance, he still has to pay for receiving a free gift somehow.
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hi i am faysal. i need a computer. plz send
my address -……, Bangladesh
i need a new computer with at least wondows xp so if youd like to donate me one id appreciate it or tell me how to get a good one free or dirt cheap. thank you
vais4u@juno.com
hey, some times I think that my effort to sharing my knowledge to poor children is so hard. But another times, it’s will be fun, because by sharing our knowledge there is more samething can we know. After finding this site, I feel respectable to who’s can help other people. Just looking around, there many people can not know about operating computer, such my student. However, learning computer not only by teaching, practise can improve at all. Whatever you and whoever you, anybody can help us to imporve our activities for learning computer by poor children. It’s not hard, you can give us whatever you have. We accept anything, such book, learning tool, donate, or if you feel that computer learning is very important thing, you can send everything about it to:
FREE COMPUTER LEARNING
Email : rakhmatsatrio@yahoo.co.id
Jl. Ratu Kalinyamat No. 7B Rt.01/07 Demaan (belakang Dinas PKT Jepara)-Jepara-Jawa Tengah-Indonesia
Hi everybody, am in need of computers to help me run the programme for the Orphanage here in Uganda. please I will be glad if my request is accepted. my email adrees eric4mag@yahoo.com
thank you for this insightful article!
I am Isaac Donkor from Ghana. I teach ICT in a local school but lack of computers is creating a lot of problems. My students do get pratical teaching because there are no computers. In My area which is a rural area students after their basic education no nothing about computers.
Please come to our aid.
God Bless you.
good ,morning iam studuying engeneering. so plz donate afree computer and help in studying further.thank u
hi iam a student . i need a computer for my studies. so if youd like to donate me one id appreciate it or tell me how to get a good one free . thank sksaravanakumar18@gmail.com
Am in need of a free computer because am preparing for my studies.please help
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i hated to ask anything like thhis but both of my sister , both of use can use it he ha a very angry mangement program he is so hatefut we hae got to get us some furniture gather up katrine took it out faRTHER GOT MOST OF OUR STUFF WHEN PEOPLE SENT IT TO US BUT WE WILL GET awat i just want my own house things will get better we just go to go us a house.
lol why is everyone asking for a computer? this is just an article not a place to request free stuff. i laughed at ppl actually asking for a free computer with windows xp. not only do they want a free computer it has to have a good OS. XD
i am seriously in need of a laptop computer for my studies. can anyone help?
if you like something… you need to help your self. find jobs. workhard and you can buy what ever you like… but some students whant’s computer or laptop but not for studieng but only for gaming!…
i need a computer for school can anyone help me get ahold of one?
I am once scammed with sites offering free computers, laptops and ipods. But then again I found your info here very entertaining.