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Neowin Give-away: 31 Days of the Dragon

Steven Parker   on 15 May 2008 - 10:47 · 105 comments & 83406 views

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Update (May 20): Neowin's competition starts today!

Over the years, Neowin has been in a position to give away some pretty neat software titles, usually in October when it's our birthday but nothing compares to what we are able to offer our members this month.

The good people at Buzzcorps and HP have made really topped the bill with this give-away.
31 sites will be giving away a HP Pavilion HDX 9000 “Dragon” Entertainment Notebook every day, starting from 9th of May till the 8th of June. Each site will have their own unique competition and ideas about giving it away, we at Neowin are finalizing our competition details and we'll have more on that this week. Someone will be selected on the 27th of May as a winner here on Neowin and after we've reviewed it and restored it back to factory settings it will be shipped out to that lucky winner!

Here's a brief run down of the specs:
  • Operating system: Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel Core2 Extreme Processor X9000 (2.80GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
  • Display: 20.1″ diagonal WUXGA High-Definition HP Ultra Brightview Widescreen (1920×1200)
  • Memory: 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
  • Graphics Card: 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS
  • Personalization: HP Imprint Finish (Dragon) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
  • Networking: Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth™
  • Hard Drive: 500GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (250GB x 2)
  • Optical: Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
  • TV & Entertainment Experience: Integrated HP HDTV Hybrid TV Tuner and 4 Altec Lansing speakers + the HP Triple Bass Reflex subwoofer
  • Primary Battery: 9 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

The excitement doesn't stop there, HP and Buzzcorps have thought about what you're supposed to do ith a powerhouse like this and decided to chuck in a ton of software and games:

Microsoft Office 2007, Corel PaintShop Pro Photo X2, Corel Painter 4, Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 Plus, Viva Pinata, Microsoft Flight Simulator X, Microsoft Flight Simulator X Acceleration Expansion Pack, Gears of War, Pirates of the Caribbean – The Curse of the Black Pearl and Dead Man’s Chest, At World’s End (Blu Ray)

The competition works like this. The 31 machines are distributed amongst 31 technology blogs - some you probably read already and some you might not have heard of. Each blog will draw a winner on each day starting from May 9 to June 8. How each blog will pick a winner is unique but they will only accept entries starting from 7 days before the draw. Going to each blog to submit an entry is allowed and encouraged.

Link: 31 Days of the Dragon, Contest agenda and details

Here is the iCal download for the competition, thanks to Long Zheng for making this available:




Stay tuned for our competition details, and check out the other sites for theirs!

* This in an international competition!

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 105 additional comments
(1 reply) #1 Daniel on 01 May 2008 - 09:59
Damn thats a nice laptop, I should "quit" when its competition time
#1.1 HalcyonX12 on 03 May 2008 - 00:32
If you quit I sure hope you do win one but for those of us staying at your job that probably won't win one, who could afford one at $5100?! (not to mention all the batteries you'd need to use all that hardware at capacity) I'm sure many would like to win one but how many can afford to buy one?

Last edited by HalcyonX12 on 03 May 2008 - 00:37
#2 +Harlem39s Finest on 01 May 2008 - 10:13
US only ?
#3 GrimReeper on 01 May 2008 - 10:14
Do want
#4 +Dakkaroth on 01 May 2008 - 10:18
Man, I'd kill for that. God knows I need a new computer.
#5 funkymunky on 01 May 2008 - 10:24
Surely not US only as this is an International community??
#6 Yak on 01 May 2008 - 10:31
/cue Donkey off Shrek > Pick me..PICK ME...pick me...Oh please Pick Me
(1 reply) #7 creamhackered on 01 May 2008 - 10:33
No it's not US only guys
#7.1 Scirwode on 01 May 2008 - 13:07
Do you mail it to Malaysia then ?

Scirwode
#8 +MetalHellsAngel on 01 May 2008 - 10:33
Oh man I would love to get my hands on that
#9 +Troll on 01 May 2008 - 10:37
Looks very nice. Wouldn't mind winning that
#10 ramesees on 01 May 2008 - 10:38
Oh thats a sweet looking machine ... damn I want it

Puts my 4 year old desktop to shame
(2 replies) #11 funkymunky on 01 May 2008 - 10:48
Who do I have to bribe??
#11.1 +Dakkaroth on 01 May 2008 - 10:55
Times like this having breasts just might come in handy.
#11.2 amanechoir on 01 May 2008 - 11:04
(Dakkaroth said @ #11.1)
Times like this having breasts just might come in handy.


Does man-boobs count?
#12 belto on 01 May 2008 - 11:25
Well, this is what a dream is made of!! Good Luck to everyone and enjoy!!
#13 backdrifter on 01 May 2008 - 11:28
Holy **** that's some notebook
#14 Raa on 01 May 2008 - 11:53
Sounds a bit like a scam really... but nice to see some comps up!
(1 reply) #15 x9_ on 01 May 2008 - 12:27
I can't wait.
I CAN'T WAIT.
I CAN'T WAIT

Consider me entered.
#15.1 +Dakkaroth on 01 May 2008 - 12:40
#16 +macf13nd on 01 May 2008 - 12:50
fantastic stuff!
#17 Tager on 01 May 2008 - 13:06
Me likey... me wanty... me needy some Dragon luvin! That's a nice piece of hardware!
#18 BeerBro on 01 May 2008 - 13:09
amazing!
#19 Griffin on 01 May 2008 - 13:21
Sweet looking forward to the competion.. hopefully it doesn't go by post count
#20 +kraized on 01 May 2008 - 13:21
How do you enter?
(7 replies) #21 vetbangbang023 on 01 May 2008 - 13:24
All that power and they throw in a 5400rpm HDD. Go figure.
#21.1 MioTheGreat on 01 May 2008 - 14:44
They don't make 7200rpm 2.5" hard drives that big. You'd lose 300 gigs if you went any faster.
#21.2 Gilly on 01 May 2008 - 18:13
(MioTheGreat said @ #21.1)
They don't make 7200rpm 2.5" hard drives that big. You'd lose 300 gigs if you went any faster.


It's 250GB x2.
#21.3 MioTheGreat on 01 May 2008 - 18:26
(Gilly said @ #21.2)
(MioTheGreat said @ #21.1)
They don't make 7200rpm 2.5" hard drives that big. You'd lose 300 gigs if you went any faster.


It's 250GB x2.


yeah. My bad. I didn't notice that. In that case, I'd say that two 7200rpm 2.5" drives next to each other probably give off way too much heat.
#21.4 noroom on 01 May 2008 - 19:09
You're just trying to find an excuse.
#21.5 Shadrack on 01 May 2008 - 21:01
(bangbang023 said @ #21)
All that power and they throw in a 5400rpm HDD. Go figure.


Its cool, you don't have to enter.
#21.6 vetbangbang023 on 01 May 2008 - 21:37
(Shadrack said @ #21.5)
Its cool, you don't have to enter.

Besides the fact that I probably can't enter because I'm on staff, it's a valid criticism. That is a very powerful laptop and it's going to be bottlenecked, a bit, by the HDD speed.
#21.7 MioTheGreat on 02 May 2008 - 00:08
(noroom said @ #21.4)
You're just trying to find an excuse.


Yeah. I am. There's nothing I can do about it, and there's probably a reason behind it, so we might as well know it.
#22 +Piggy on 01 May 2008 - 13:30
Sounds good.
#23 obasi on 01 May 2008 - 13:39
sweet, that notebook won't be going anywhere, i sounds mad heavy, but my desk can take it (preparing a spot right now)
(2 replies) #24 jonboy0706 on 01 May 2008 - 13:54
Raise your hand if you just signed up for a bunch of tech sites.

If nothing else, this gives a good reason to contribute, instead of just whoring for years...
#24.1 vetmarkjensen on 01 May 2008 - 19:02
I looked at the first site on the list, Absolute Vista. The admin there, John Obeto, seems to have a hard-on against Linux and Linux users. Seems several entries he's posted there calling Linux users "Freetards".

He's not worth my time.
#24.2 ANova on 02 May 2008 - 00:10
(markjensen said @ #24.1)
I looked at the first site on the list, Absolute Vista. The admin there, John Obeto, seems to have a hard-on against Linux and Linux users. Seems several entries he's posted there calling Linux users "Freetards".

He's not worth my time.


The name alone is enough to turn me off.
#25 blefaritis on 01 May 2008 - 13:54
*sigh*
#26 Digix on 01 May 2008 - 13:58
this would be pretty sweet would be cool to win :]
#27 ember™ on 01 May 2008 - 14:32
*crosses fingers*
#28 Novaoblivion on 01 May 2008 - 14:38
Wow nice laptop I would love to win it .
#29 number13 on 01 May 2008 - 14:49
Wow!!
That is a VERY NICE computer!!
#30 Beastage on 01 May 2008 - 14:53
I dunno how to participate... but ... sign me up?!
#31 magik on 01 May 2008 - 14:53
I don't get it... how do you enter?
#32 zer0day on 01 May 2008 - 14:59
Do want.
#33 Beastage on 01 May 2008 - 15:03
Might be worthwhile fixing the link to the HP site since it directs to one config on the Canadian HP site

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping...name=HDX_series

The american site has like always many more features.
#34 Sazz181 on 01 May 2008 - 15:18
Don't Digg, if you want better chances
#35 EduardValencia on 01 May 2008 - 15:52
Whoa nice
#36 exotoxic on 01 May 2008 - 16:03
looks like a nice piece of equipment

hope neowin will have some kind of registered time limit to stop people just signing up to enter.
#37 gianpan on 01 May 2008 - 16:08
do you think there is a chance to win all 31?

5000$ hmmm I could sell it and then get me a macbook pro

#38 Randomiser on 01 May 2008 - 16:28
That is one beauty of a laptop, count me in!!
#39 Randomiser on 01 May 2008 - 16:29


Last edited by Randomiser on 01 May 2008 - 17:59
#40 ibear on 01 May 2008 - 16:41
so how do i enter the draw
#41 Merter on 01 May 2008 - 16:56
Awesome
#42 +Yggdrasilly on 01 May 2008 - 17:52
Wow, that's a nice little machine...
#43 X@vier on 01 May 2008 - 17:56
I'm in!!!

~X
#44 DrunknMunky on 01 May 2008 - 17:58
Awesome
#45 MGS4-SS on 01 May 2008 - 18:10
I'm playing. Probably won't win, but just for fun
#46 trashpickinman on 01 May 2008 - 18:56
Cool. That would be awesome to win on my birthday!
#47 +Echilon on 01 May 2008 - 19:33
Very nice looking laptop.
#48 Tha Bloo Monkee on 01 May 2008 - 20:21
I want, I want! I'm also curious on how to enter.

Tell me!
#49 WelshBluebird on 01 May 2008 - 20:26
wow nice. Worth a try lol
#50 Chester0 on 01 May 2008 - 20:29
usa only?/!2$ and i was feeling lucky
#51 Hani on 01 May 2008 - 20:56
you ship to any country (e.g. Middle East specifically Lebanon)?
#52 Shadrack on 01 May 2008 - 21:05
Thats a beast of a machine. The 15+ lbs is pretty dang heavy for a laptop. Don't get me wrong, I'll still do what I can to win, but I don't think I'd ever buy a laptop that large. Still, 20" display on a laptop is pretty dang nice.
#53 d3monn on 01 May 2008 - 21:49
Nice machine! Good luck to everyone who can, and do, enter!
#54 timmmay on 01 May 2008 - 22:36
Great prize I'm surprised Engadget isn't on that list!

Go neowin!
#55 :: Lyon :: on 02 May 2008 - 00:05
Aww..wish my blog is chosen as a participant too

Hope I can win a laptop or two (never seem to be able to win anything from competitions)
#56 riojin on 02 May 2008 - 01:46
its a nice lappy.

im in need of a new comp seeing my 5yr old desktop is now deciding to restart everytime it gets bumped.

ill enter every one
#57 Itachi17 on 02 May 2008 - 02:12
Great Laptop. Could use for College
#58 movvadinesh on 02 May 2008 - 02:51
Hai Admin,
Thank you for the contest
I especially thank Hp and all the 31blogs and Buzz Corps for conducting this contest,

This contest will be especially useful for a student like me who cannot afford to buy a laptop and in a need for a laptop.

I wish I will win the laptop.
[size=3][color=#FF0000]
(1 reply) #59 movvadinesh on 02 May 2008 - 02:52
Hai Admin,
Thank you for the contest
I especially thank Hp and all the 31blogs and Buzz Corps for conducting this contest,

This contest will be especially useful for a student like me who cannot afford to buy a laptop and in a need for a laptop.

I wish I will win the laptop.

Last edited by bmaher on 02 May 2008 - 06:11
#59.1 hotdog963al on 02 May 2008 - 12:42
How nice of you, to register just for this competition.
#60 Tzimisce on 02 May 2008 - 03:33
Well no chance at all that i will win, but i guess i will try to humor the world.
#61 BilliShere on 02 May 2008 - 04:34
AWESOME!!! PLEAse.... a new laptop would make everything awesome. just what i need after some depressing exams.
#62 dozty on 02 May 2008 - 06:40
can overclock? xD
#63 imis on 02 May 2008 - 07:25
i would love to participate in that competition.
(2 replies) #64 mail on 02 May 2008 - 07:27
I hope it actually takes some skill to win this and not down to a lucky draw.
#64.1 bilston on 02 May 2008 - 10:20
First site wants a story on why you should deserve it :/ I hate competitions like that. Mainly because I am as uncreative as humanly possible
#64.2 NateB1 on 02 May 2008 - 15:43
(bilston said @ #64.1)
First site wants a story on why you should deserve it :/ I hate competitions like that. Mainly because I am as uncreative as humanly possible


I'm glad I'm not the only one!
#65 Cpugeni Ω on 02 May 2008 - 08:59
Looks like a really sweet spec, though the one thing its lacking is that 5400rpm hard drive
#66 Dwarden on 02 May 2008 - 09:25
nice, tho chance to win is nearly same as nil
#67 JR007 on 02 May 2008 - 09:38
Awesome news, can't wait for the giveaway to being.
#68 redeemed on 02 May 2008 - 10:48
How do you enter?
#69 hotdog963al on 02 May 2008 - 12:40
Rughh. Bit of a mammoth laptop eh!? O_o
"Portable Desktop" seems more fitting than "Laptop"
#70 tiagosilva29 on 02 May 2008 - 12:42
I'm going to give this prize to my girlfriend then sell what she won't use and put in our house fund.
(1 reply) #71 ripgut on 02 May 2008 - 13:33
So basically it requires a story that makes you kiss ass to HP, no thank you
#71.1 tiagosilva29 on 02 May 2008 - 15:10
"HP Printers often discharged corrupted printing buffers, using thousands of paper sheets and a great volume of ink. But it's okay, because computers are stupid and my children loved to find the smilies in those pages. =)"

"HP laptops would return the money the Microsoft tax that forces into its laptop users in my country. But it's fine, because the world sucks, and we need to learn better. =)"
#72 invaderzim_2004 on 02 May 2008 - 13:49
I'm guessing the TV tuner in the model being given away is ATSC-which would be useless to non-US users (as Europe, Australia use dvb).

#73 vetneufuse on 02 May 2008 - 14:15
OoOo "an optional HD-DVD drive means you can enjoy the latest DVDs in astounding high definition quality" yay i can put in a HD-DVD drive! awesome *sarcasim* I'm quoteing HP's site not neowin's... which says HD-DVD drive not blu-ray
#74 MusTangAu on 03 May 2008 - 06:35
Bugger i just brought one of these.......
#75 sin-ergy on 04 May 2008 - 18:58
US only.....pftt..... Canada anyone? jesus, we're RIGHT next door.
#76 OblivionStalker on 05 May 2008 - 17:19
Great competition. Too bad the rules are very very... how to say... hard. You have to check every post, every link to the sites to find out about the makers' personal life.
#77 $n!pR on 05 May 2008 - 23:05
Hmm, And just when I purchased a Acer Aspire 6920G
#78 briesansotta on 06 May 2008 - 12:40
Yep, my family business could really use the "dragon" - but, yeah, if you check the rules for many of the sites participating in the contest, you have to be a long time subscriber to their website - EVEN if we JUST found out about them through the contest.
#79 lomax02 on 10 May 2008 - 02:08
I WANT IT.

my lappy is a dell inspiron 1000, i love it, but this one IS A BEAST.
#80 [deXter] on 12 May 2008 - 16:22
I'm gonna win one for sure.
#81 OniShiroX on 13 May 2008 - 04:33
That laptop is awesome, I wish I win.
#82 +Mr. Chronopolous on 13 May 2008 - 05:24
The draw entries start on my birthday; therefore, I should get it.
#83 Skwerl on 14 May 2008 - 19:39
Want.
#84 OniShiroX on 15 May 2008 - 05:19
Just to make sure, to enter the contest you just have to post in here, right? or do I have to do something else?
#85 vetToxicfume on 15 May 2008 - 07:40
Wow! This is undeniably a great prize!
#86 jamesyfx on 15 May 2008 - 11:33
We've got one of these at work, and it's ridiculously huge. Even some desktops are smaller.

I personally wouldn't want it, because it's quite vulgar. But good luck to those that enter.
#87 Airlink on 15 May 2008 - 22:34
So, how do we enter?

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