How to Win a Free Laptop

You may have seen the "Get a Free* Laptop" ads on the Internet. The asterisk (*) usually means that the laptop is not free. You will need to wade through and buy countless sponsor products in order to maybe get a free laptop. The whole process will probably cost over $200 by the time it's over with. If you have a few hundred dollars to spend, why not invest it into third world child education? Here's how to get a laptop and do some good in the process.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Go to Amazon.com/XO starting on November 17, 2008. One Laptop Per Child is partnering with Amazon.com to donate special laptops to children in developing countries (see Resources below).

2. Donate $399 to One Laptop Per Child through Amazon.com. Your purchase of a $399 laptop will ensure that one child in a developing country gets a laptop as well.

3. Save your receipt. File for a tax deduction during annual income tax filing. You are eligible for a $200 tax deduction, making the laptop donation $199. This price is likely lower than the "free" laptop offers currently on the Internet. Also, you have the added benefit of knowing you've helped change a child's life for the better.

Tips & Warnings

• The following countries have received the most laptops: Peru (270,000), Uruguay (100,000), Ethiopia (50,000) and Mexico (50,000). The XO laptop is energy efficient, only using 5 to 10 percent of the energy that a traditional laptop uses.

• The XO laptop does not use the Windows Operating System; instead, it uses Linux. It does offer Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. There are plans in the future to have a Windows Operation System. Read the fine print before you opt to use this laptop.

Resources

• One Laptop Per Child
• Amazon's XO Promotion