Share The Magic (Revisited Again)

I'm sure by now you're tired of me going on about the HP Magic Giveaway but I'm not tired of entering yet. This round goes to Stop, Drop and Blog. This blog entry gives me a bonus entry in her contest.

Just to recap, HP and Microsoft are giving away over SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS worth of computer equipment and software. The prize package includes four… count them FOUR computers! Here's everything that's included:

• HP Touchsmart IQ816 PC (the screen is touch sensitive)
• HP HDX 18 Series Premium Notebook PC
• HP Pavilion DV4 Entertainment Notebook with Windows Live
• HP Mini 1000 Series Ultra-Mobile Notebook PC (it weighs less than 2.5 poinds)
• HP MediaSmart Connect (connects your computer to the TV)
• HP Photosmart C6380 all-in-one Color Printer
• HP 564 Photo Value Pack (enough paper and ink to print 150 photos)
• MS Office Home and Student 2007
• Dreamworks Animation's King Fu Panda Widescreen DVDs in both Blu-Ray and standard DVD

With all that stuff, you might be asking how could I possibly put all of that to use? The truth is, I can’t. If I kept all of that I would just be hoarding it and being greedy and that’s not what Christmas is all about and that’s not what this contest is all about. This contest is about sharing the Magic. So here’s what I would do:

I would keep the MediaSmart connect and one of the notebooks (probably the HDX) because the MediaSmart is cool and I don’t have a notebook. I would give the mini to my nephew who recently lost his laptop. The other Notebook I would donate to the Angel Tree. The Angel Tree is a program whereby underprivileged families can ask for Christmas gifts from the community. Those more fortunate - and who would be more fortunate than the winner of $6,000 worth of HP computer equipment and Microsoft software? - choose a recipient and donate items from their lists. Generally they’re clothing items or simple toys but can you imagine the look on some kid’s face when he or she opens a totally unexpected, rockin’ Notebook computer on Christmas morning? Oh, and he would get the Microsoft Office software, too. I already have it. And since I’m feeling so overwhelmed with generosity, I would throw in the printer, too. Who knows, a decent Notebook might just inspire one of these kids to become something greater than he ever imagined he could be.

Finally, the TouchSmart PC would go to another site involved in this contest (that shall remain nameless for the moment) who has a charity event coming up very soon. It would be available to be auctioned off during the event so the proceeds could go to charity. Plus, some lucky bidder would end up with a tax break for buying a new computer.