Logitech diNovo Mini Keyboard

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As more and more of us are using a Media PC these days in the lounge room for managing our entertainment media, there comes the problem of using you PC from the couch which can get a bit trick juggling a keyboard and mouse on your lap. The Logitech diNovo Mini Keyboard is going to solve this problem with its small scale 63 key backlit keyboard, laptop like control pad that doubles as a directional pad with the flick of a switch, and sleek, glossy black and silver design that you would be proud to have on the coffee table. Typing on this device I would say is similar to a Blackberry, thumb typing seemed to be the way to go. I wouldn’t type up a report on the diNovo but for instant messaging , keyword searches, web addresses, or the occasional short email felt easy on this device. Navigation with the control pad was pretty easy although I did find it inaccurate at times.

Here is some specs.

• 25 mm (.98-inch) dual-purpose Click-Pad. Works as a touch pad and a 4-way directional pad
• Thumb-operated keypad design
• 63 backlighted keys
• Backlighting for two modes—orange for touch-pad mode, green for media-center remote mode
• Ambient light sensor measures current available light and turns off backlight, if necessary, to conserve power
• Dedicated Windows Media® Center button
• Range: up to 10 m (33 feet)
• price $150

Connectivity

• Bluetooth 2.0 wireless technology
• Point-to-point technology pre-paired with DiNovo Mini keyboard.

Power and Battery

• 30 days (battery life)
• Full-charge: Takes about 4 hours.
• Fast-charge: Takes about 10 minutes for 1 day of use
• 950 mAH lithium-ion battery

Dimensions and Weight

• 5.98-inch by 3.5-inch by 1.08-inch
• 6.17 oz with battery

Things I like

The love diNovo’s great looking compact design its really slick. I found thumb typing on this device very easy as I don’t use a Blackberry day to day it only took me about 10 mins to be confident on the smallish keys. The setup was very easy I had the device up and running in minutes, this has to be the best all in one device by far on the market for controlling you Windows media PC.

Thing that need improving

Logitech really needs to make this device Mac and Xbox compatible as many people these days including me need multi compatible devices particular with the $150 price tag you would expect it to be compatible with everything. There is an inaccurate with the touch-pad I have to say though most of the time it works great but every know and then it just seems to not stay in sync with your finger movements.

Pros

• Great compact design
• Playstation 3 compatible
• Great input/control device from Windows Media PC

Cons

• Not Apple or Xbox compatible
• Touchpad sometimes inaccurate
• A little expensive

Final thoughts

I found the Logitech diNovo a perfect input/control device for a Windows media PC it really is the answer to all my couch PC usage problems and with its great compact design its the perfect looking device to have in the lounge room. So if your looking for an all in one input device for your media center or Playstation 3 the diNovo has got to be the best device I’ve used. The diNovo will be available in late Feburary 08.