[Koralatov]

Okay, I just want to make it abundantly clear that I am not looking for referrals at all — I’m curious to see whether people have got their ‘free’ Macs or not.

Reading tooki’s very old post on the subject would lead me to believe that they are legit, but has anyone ever actually got a free iPod/Mac/MacBook from one of these sites?

One of my friends sent me a referral link to a UK one, and I’m very tempted to complete one of the offers then try to get the same done in return, but I’d really rather not waste my time if I’m not going to get my Mac at the end of it.

So, peoples of MacNN, are any of you using free MacBooks/iPods/iMacs/minis that you got off one of these sites, or did it turn out to be a waste of your time?

(Disclosure: I joined one of these sites ages ago, and foolishly linked to it in my signature. However, I never completed gathering my referrals in time, so my membership expired. I’m currently trying to see if it’s worth my time to sign up to another one.)

[Randman]

You are seriously asking if an online pyramid scam scheme is legit?

[Eriamjh]

I have heard that some have.

[OldManMac]

Yes, I'm working on a new Mac Pro, with 32GB RAM, 4TB HD, and two 30" Cinema displays. All I had to do was buy 43,000 tubes of toothpaste, which I needed anyhow, at $100/tube.

[zombie punk]

Not all of them are pyramid schemes, but when you break it out, most require so much work / money that even if you work minimum wage it is better to just buy the machine.

[Mastrap]

They are not necessarily pyramid schemes, for some you have to try out a myriad of offers. If you have the time to invest, don't mind your address being sold to every single junk mailer in the country and keep track of what offers to cancel then you might be able to get a free Mac out of it.

Personally I'd just take on some extra jobs and buy the damn thing myself.

[Eriamjh]

Here's a good story of a guy who got his back in 2005:
http://lowendmac.com/menagh/05/1215.html

I guess you have to be diligent about the offers.

[Mrjinglesusa]

Why people are so fascinated with trying to get something for nothing never ceases to amaze me.

You are not going to get a "free" Mac. Period. This is going to cost you, even though it may not cost you any cash (which it likely will anyway).

[64stang06]

Don't forget the sites that claim to give away a pink iPhone. In other words, be sure you know the product before signing up and attempting to do it. Or as others stated, just buy the computer

[ort888]

I know a guy who got a free iPod from one of these sites. It does happen.

That said, I would avoid that crap like the plague. Not worth the grief.

[Knof8]

I know someone who did this. It still ended up costing about $350-$400 as it involved subscribing to different magazines just to show proof. As soon as he could though he cancelled the subscriptions. Ended up saving him $1000 as he received a macbookpro. Course he did say it was a big pain in the @$$.