I'm actually trying NOT to get involved, as this subject has been beaten to death here already.
The misinformation:
Very, very, few Elites, or anybody else for that matter, get anything for free.
Most of the people that do, actually work in the industry for manufacturers. Testing/benching is part of their job. Hardware samples is one of their perks. Don't tell me that you get no perks at your job, because everybody does one way or another.
Not necessarily true.
You have ice at home right?
What if my home was in Siberia? I'd have access to -50 degree air, and sub zero water.