I have not written here forever. I decided to write one final post letting know how the progress went. I never finished building the free computer I wanted to – the case and everything is still sitting in my room. That said, my mission was not a total failure. Since then, I’ve got a dozen old free computers from work, 3-5 old free laptops from my friends, and a brand spanking new Macbook Pro from work. Moral of the story? It’s probably impossible to build a computer for free from mail in rebates… but with the help of friends and a generous work place, you can get lots of free computers. I will continue going for free and cheap things, and feel free to email me if you find amazing deals! Have fun looking for cheap parts. Goodbye and goodnight! (I feel like some news reporter retiring… )

FreeComputerGuy

As I was browsing my regular spots for free deals, I came across this 700 watt PSU for free! I was tempted to get it, but after I read that the rebate may not be honored, I decided to stick on the safe side… I’m posting it up here though because some of you braver folks might not mind dishing out 99 dollars and trying to get it back… Have fun and tell me if you ever got your rebate if you do.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817193013&CMP=AFC-Bensbargains&nm_mc=AFC-Bensbargains&cm_mmc=AFC-Bensbargains-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA

 FreeComputerGuy

It’s pretty clear by now that I’m not going to make the goal of building a free computer in a year… I’ll have to decide whether to extend the project or not… 

In the mean time, there is still free stuff available on the net… Today, ClubIT is giving away a superman returns mouse and keyboard set for free after 2 rebates… Maybe you don’t like superman, but I think it’s great… Anything for free is <3 for me! 

http://www.clubit.com/product_system_detail.cfm?itemno=UPG30259

Oh yeah, someone did donate me an old DVD burner… One more thing to scratch off…

FreeComputerGuy

By the way… Merry Christmas everyone!

 “Shopping” List

• Computer Case
• Power Supply
• Motherboard (Has to work with whatever processor I’ll be getting)
• Processor ( Intel or AMD – I don’t care)
• Memory (1 GB)
• Video Card (at least 128MB)
• Sound Card (5.1 surround sound)
• Hard Drive (80GB or more)
• DVD Burner

Extras:

• Monitor
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Speakers (5.1)

Rocky commented that I haven’t posted in a while and I guess some of you may want an update. Have I quit? Have I died? Have I fallen off the face of the planet? Has secret agents taken me away because building a computer for free is a preposterous idea and worthy of me to be locked up for 100 years? 

… No, none of that happened…

I’m still there… or here. I just haven’t found any new deals and nobody been kind enough to continue my cause… I got to admit that isn’t 100% true… I was able to grab 9 old computers that my work place was throwing out but that doesn’t count because they were all slow boxes and definitely not dual core… School gave me a macbook – I guess I could say I’m done with my quest with that, but I don’t think it counts. So, I’m still in the quest and this computer will be built before next year. I’m actually waiting for the black friday deals and all the Christmas deals… So stay tuned! I’m not quitting!

FreeComputerGuy

 NewEgg is offering a free webcam after rebate – I don’t know if quantities are limited so I’d jump on it pretty quick. In fact, I already did…   There is a slight catch, you may have to sign up to their mailing list to qualify for the free shipping code EMC419DTIVE.  It’s a 25 buck investment. If you want to get a webcam, might as well get this one…. I have seen the quality and it’s pretty decent.

FreeComputerGuy

Now my journey to getting a free computer has taken an interesting turn… I got money! This means I can actually buy stuff and still say I didn’t spend a single thing on this computer… I wonder if this goes against the rules I put down at the beginning of this quest? Does it?

 In any case, I got 50 bucks for my “Free Computer” fund… Maybe I’ll use it to buy a motherboard that never goes for free….

 FreeComputerGuy

P.S. What you think of the new theme? I got tired of the old one…

 Still no signs of CPU, mobo, or memory deals (good news is memory prices are going down! 100 per gig to around 70)…  Craigslist isn’t much help either – I only got offers for some old Socket A mobo and a 6 CD CD changer and some other weird things. I think I might actually have to sell the case and power supply and use the money to buy something worthwhile for the quest…

While we wait though, I did find a nice 4 USB port mini-hub for free at eaglebit.com. I was going to past this up, but then finally getting the 40 dollar check for the case convinced me to put some more money into rebates. Besides, it is the perfect match for the silver colored all in 1 card reader… Imagine having these 2 devices hooked to each other – the perfect match.

 http://www.eaglebit.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=EB%2D540%2D00001&Show=ExtInfo

FreeComputerGuy

P.S. You think with all this advertising i’m giving for these .com stores, one of these guys would sponsor me or something? That’d be great .

While I wait for somebody to buy/trade my case, and while I wait for a slick deal on CPU/mobo, I thought I let all of you know that Fry’s doing the free ultra case deal again.. 40 dollars, but free after mail in rebate… No shipping… Maybe if I buy enough of these and keep on trading, I can have enough trading power to get something like a motherboard or CPU?

http://www.frys.com/product/5124886 

 FreeCompuuterGuy

The 53-in-1 came and I am very happy to say it is a great product… I was afraid this was going to be huge, but to my surprise, it was smaller than my old 8-in-1 (and definitely could read many many more formats)…

I gave it a try with my CF and SD Cards and they read just fine. In fact, the picture I took was uploaded to my computer through the reader. Time to fill in those mail in rebates and get my money back!

FreeComputerGuy