MindManager Pro 7 Software Review

MindManager Pro 7 Software Review

If you need help keeping your meetings or class notes organized, Mindjet's MindManager 7 may be the software for you. It is designed to capture ideas, increase brainstorming, create projects and manage meetings. MindManager enhances presentations, gets ideas flowing and improves productivity. Saving time and being more efficient is something every user values.

MindManager is perfect for both Tablet PC and notebook users. The software lets you convert your writing to text or you can just type in the blocks. Users can handwrite all of their notes as well. I tested the software out on my R1F tablet and it was actually fun brainstorming and writing directly on the maps. There are so many helpful features that it's nearly impossible to forget a meeting or project.

Features

Besides helping you be more creative and time efficient, MindManager lets users sync with their Outlook email for appointments, set reminder alarms for meetings, insert active links to web pages, prioritize what is most important, insert pictures and graphs and much, much more.

Once the program is open you can make any style map you choose and if you don't like the layout the format can be changed. MindManager comes with a few templates, so you can choose how your brainstorming will look. If the maps are to confusing the Outline view is clean and simple to read. Although, I personally liked creating my own map.

The attach notes option allows you to add more detail to your topic. As you can see from the map above the icon appears next to the topic like with manufacturers and new products.

The hyperlink icon allows users to link to Web pages, other maps or email addresses. This comes in handy when you are trying to show off a company or find a clients email quickly. I used it to link HP and Toshiba's websites to the meetings.

The alarm lets you set alerts when a topic needs attention. There is also a date and time insert tab that allows you to set up appointments and block out that time. You can also set markers on topics to monitor your progress.

This icon connects you with Outlook items and Excel data. Spreadsheets can be inserted for organization, new contact information and the calendar for appointments and tasks.

MindManager Pro has a few extra goodies that the other versions don't have, if you are curious to why there is a price difference. With MindManager Pro 7 you can search for maps containing specific text, organize favorite maps for easy access and insert power point slides.

From one main topic, you can add as many sub-topics as you wish. Then you can mark, which ones are urgent with numbers or flags. There are also callout boxes for added commentary and if you are creative you can change the shape of all the boxes. Business professionals everywhere can use this to help delegate responsibilities, get feedback and spice up those boring Power Point presentations.

Advantages to using MindManager Pro 7:

• Quickly and visually convey large amounts of information in an organized format.
• Consolidate and simplify access to large amounts of information in a coherent single view.
• Provide an interactive dashboard used to assess, track and obtain status on deliverables.
• Engage people in interactions with customers and partners by developing, capturing and sharing ideas.
• Gain competitive advantage by making people more effective in the delivery of solutions, proposals and projects.

The map below was created from a template that is included in the software. So if you are in a hurry and don't have time to scribble down your ideas, the existing maps help. If you already have a map saved you can add that to your new map as well.

Conclusion

Mindjet had the business world in mind with this software. MindManager gets those ideas flowing and gives you a million ways to write them down. From the completely business format of an org chart, to the post-it-note layout. Everything can be customized from the font color, box color, lines, text, size and so on. It may be overwhelming to a normal user who is just looking to takes notes because there are so many different features. For presentations or meetings, I think MindManager is perfect and easy to use after a few test runs. However, the interactive quick start guide comes in handy for those users looking to create more intense maps or presentations.

Pros

• Extensive maps
• Plenty of personalization options
• Productive and creative brainstorming
• Can be used with a Tablet PC or notebook
• Fast and easy to download

Cons

• Can be overwhelming
• Hard to move items around on some maps
• Not enough inking options

Pricing and Availability

MindManager is available now on Mindjet's website. This version, MindManager Pro 7 is targeted toward businesses and retails for $349, but the other version MindManager Lite 7 is geared toward college students or home users and it retails for $250.