Mead Map is revolutionary mind-mapping software used to organize your class notes, projects, etc. You will be able to easily link ideas together and share your notes with classmates or partners. It is worth giving a try and you do not need to use a credit card or download anything (the whole thing works from their website). Just use the promotional code “cbeing” when signing up.

[Go here for a video about how Mead Map works.]

Specs

Since this is what most of you are interested in, we will put it first so you do not have to read our even-headed ramblings below.

• LCD Screen: 17.0″ WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen
• Operating System: Windows Vista Ultimate, 64 bit
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T9600, 2.80 GHz
• Hard Drives: 2 x 320GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drives
• Memory: 4.00 GB RAM (max 8 GB with upgrade)
• Video Card: 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
• DVD Drive: Blu-ray ROM and DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer (one drive with both features)
• USB Ports: 3 USB 2.0 ports
• Additional Ports: eSATA, HDMI, monitor (VGA), ethernet
• Other Features: wireless-n card (for wifi), memory card reader, web cam, number pad, HDTV TV tuner, fingerprint reader, remote control, 56K modem
• Included Software: Norton Internet Security 2008 (w/ subscription), Quicken Deluxe 2008, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.), muvee (movie maker and editor), LOTS of games from HP (Luxor, etc.), Cyberlink DVD Player, Microsoft Media Center, and lots more
• Weight: about 7.7 lbs

Look

In one word: shinny. There is a shinny coating on the back with a nice HP logo lit up with a blue LED. The monitor is wide enough to enjoy Blu-ray movies and all the games the laptop comes with. The keyboard and coating on all other parts of the laptop is incredibly sick-(in a good way)-looking. There is a shine to it that will make your laptop look brand new for years–as long as you clean off the frequent smudge marks created by your oily fingers. You will definitely be able to compete with the increasing population of Mac laptops in terms of style, but what about functionality?

Functionality

The included number pad makes it so easy to type numbers. Not having a number pad is one of my biggest issues with laptops so it is big plus. I’m not an accountant, but ever time I type a number it takes so much less time.

There is a button above the mouse pad to disable and re-enable it. This is very useful if you will be doing a long paper and do not want to accidentally hit the mouse and start typing in the wrong place. Another great little feature that adds so much.

The finger print reader is a nice addition and cool to show your friends, but in terms of functionality, I did not find much use for it. Unless you work the the CIA, a normal password would probably work for you.

The ports included (3 x USB 2.0, eSATA, HDMI, memory card reader, etc.) also make a huge difference to how productive you are. eSATA is a lot faster than USB and can be used with certain external hard drives or DVD drives. HDMI is an output for your display for a HD monitor.

There are also three audio jacks in front of the computer which gives you easy access to plug in some additional speakers, headphones, or mics.

Lastly, none of the computer’s ports are on it’s backside, something that frustrates me about most laptops. All the ports, DVD drive, etc. are on the sides (minus the audio jacks which are in front).

Multimedia

The multimedia features on this laptop are insane, but it is called a multimedia laptop. You can play Blu-ray disks. (A Blu-ray player by itself is already some $400 or $500.) Plus you can watch HDTV with the included TV tuner. Add Microsoft’s Media Center to the mix and you have a pretty powerful entertainment PC. If you have an HD LCD screen you can plug it into the HDMI port and have a real entertainment center. Plus, you also get a little remote control that can be used to control your computer from afar. Think about what you could do while still in class!

Conclusion

This laptop is worth winning. Enter here. The last day to enter is October 12.

[via Lifehacker]

Anyhow, I was shocked when they arrived. The 12-pack came in what seemed to be a 12-pack of energy drinks. The cans were even the right size, but when I opened my first can, out comes a pop, a lollipop! Now, who ever heard of an energy lollipop? I thought “pop” just meant “soda pop” like how all those weird people call soda.

MAXXED is the first of its kind. It is an alternative energy source which combines all the benefits of traditional energy drinks but in an innovative lollipop form. Infused with a unique blend of Ginseng, Guarana, Taurine and B-vitamins, MAXXED is a convenient go anywhere product that helps you to maintain alertness and reduce fatigue.

So pretty much MAXXED is made with energy. Yeah, after reading the list of ingredients, I wondered how on earth that huge lollipop could stay together.

For the lollipop itself, it sure tastes good and lasts forever! Maybe I just really like candy, but that was yummy. My only complaint was that it hurt the roof of my mouth, because of the roughness of the candy. Also, after eating just a couple of those I stayed up for two days straight. In fact, over the past week I only slept about 16 hours. That just shows you how effective those things are. To conclude, buy them for taste, buy them for energy, but do not eat more than three in one go. Good luck with finals!

[MAXXED Official Website]