I find a notebook and pen works best for me :) Otherwise I save markdown files to dropbox.
I use Freemind sometimes, too, for example when I have a huge project in front of me and I need to get a quick sense of the various parts and their sub-tasks. I apply little icons like a bomb with a lit fuse for "waiting on client", green checkmark for "done," etc.
I'm willing to pay more for quality, but that seems rather high for what one is getting. The description does not even include acid-free/buffered paper.
I understand that Moleskins and the like are a thing, these days. But what makes this item worth $14 per 300 page notebook?
I don't mean this as some sarcastic, rhetorical comment. I'm genuinely curious as to what makes this notebook worth that price.
(A question from someone who has e.g. spent more than he might need to on "the right" pen... :-)
Whitelines are the most unique by far.
If I look at what notes I can still access after 1, 10, or even 20 years, it's all paper.
I love Freemind too. I use it for the "what do we know about this thing" phase of problem solving.
I use a pen and paper and write the notes in Emacs (org mode) later.