Logitech diNovo Edge

Summary: First, before you judge me as poor let me tell you that i'm not poor nor cheap.

I judge things from a technical aspect base on logic and neutral

...

Read more

Summary: First, before you judge me as poor let me tell you that i'm not poor nor cheap.

I judge things from a technical aspect base on logic and neutral comparaison with other products available.

Being a IT technician who work for a school i know how to judge hardwares because its my job to do so.

We bought several Dinovo Edge for our multimedia conference rooms and i was assigned to test and install these new Dinovo Edge.

The new Dinovo Edge is very nicely build. When i first saw the box, i could already tell that even the packaging wasn't cheap. You can already feel the quality of the package by opening the box itself.

Opening the box alone made you feel like you are somekind of rich hollywood/beverly hill super star. It may sound exagerated but it actually the way logitech wanted you to feel when unpackaging the box. Everything was wrapped in such quality way that i felt sad to unwrap the content.

The packaging is no comparaison to what we see nowadays. This is definately a gift to give to those corporative executive level employees (your boss) or the rich class.

If i could take the picture of the packaging i would, but i have not time for that. So lets get to the point.


The keyboard it self has a transparent protective wrap. If you wish your keyboard to look exactly as the one on Logitech webpage (black glow finish) you have to remove that transparent protective sticker. If not, your keyboard will look Flat black which also looks cool. Once you remove that protective sticker you won't be able to put it back unless you have the right equipment.

On the logitech webpage, the keyboard seem to have three colors (black, grey and silver)
Don't beleive their photo. The black and grey you see on logitech website is just a reflection of something. This keyboard is entirely glowing black with a silver base.

The keyboard is very slim and metal feel. Its not too heavy but its heavier than it looks like on the photos. It is not made out of plastic like those ordinary keyboards, in facts, it is made of solid material.

The installation is very simple.After installing the software provided that is,
there is a USB bluetooth key that come with the keyboard that you need to plug to any USB port of your pc. (They are about the size of a USB flash drive.
You computer should automatically detect the keyboard.

The typing feels about the same as typing on a good quality laptop. All the keys are very close to the keyboard. If you ever used a a good quality laptop you should have a good picture of the Dinovo Edge.

The keys are not backlite. The only light are above the F1,F2... keys and they are orange light.

This keyboard has a built-in rechargable battery. When uncharged, you have to place it on its base. That base is plugged to a normal electricity wall outlet. (Not USB)

You will hear a Beep and see a battery icon blinking on the keyboard when its charging.

The keyboard does not have any USB hub on it. So those who are used to USB extra hubs found on some keyboard will have to find them else where. This keyboard does not have any USB ports.

The is also a circular touch pad, that you can use. ( Even if you already have a mouse )
the touchpad did not seem to come in conflict with the mouse. So you can use both mouse.

This keyboard also works with game console.
I tested it on a Playstation 3 and the PS3 found the keyboard no problem. All you have to do is to use the USB bluetooth provided and insert it in one of the PS3 USB port.

The keyboard does not have any numeric keypad. Those keypads can be usefull for gaming, so you will have to remap those keys within your games.

On a different note, a lot of poeple will find you nuts to spend 200 bucks on a keyboard. So if i were you, if anyone ask you how much you paid. i suggest you don't say unless you like to look crazy.

For a store, a conference room, a well decorated living room. This keyboard is probably a good choice. But i still beleive it should cost between 130-160.

Show less

Summary: First of all, if you don't like the price, look at something less expensive. Second, if you need a number pad, buy a keyboard with a number pad.

Now,

...

Read more

Summary: First of all, if you don't like the price, look at something less expensive. Second, if you need a number pad, buy a keyboard with a number pad.

Now, if you want a keyboard that is as pleasurable to look at as it is to type on, buy this keyboard. While Microsoft continues making keyboards that look like a slab of cement, Logitech artfully produces something that makes you want to show off your desk. The gloss black face, the brushed metal palm rest, and the glow on demand volume and f-keys are like nothing ever produced. If a keyboard can be a work of art, this is a Rembrandt. At a half inch thick, the di novo edge looks as good in the living room as it does in the office.

This keyboard is not just about looks either. The keys are responsive but comfortable. Everything is within easy reach and the touch volume slider works well and is fun to use. The cursor touchpad takes some getting used to, but works adequately for those lacking a mouse. Finally, battery life on this rechargeable keyboard is two months!

The di novo edge is the best keyboard you can buy and worth every dime of it's cost. Oh, and it can easily be found on sale for $169.

Show less

Summary: They say once you go dinovo, you never go back, and its true. This is a great product that is marred by 2 main features - the lack of media ...

Read more

Summary: They say once you go dinovo, you never go back, and its true. This is a great product that is marred by 2 main features - the lack of media keys (play/pause, forward, reverse) and its $200. I got it for 170, but that is still too much for a keyboard alone. Logitech should have bundled the MX Revolution in for 150. If you plan on using your living room tv to browse the web, or just trying to look snazzy, this is the keyboard for you.

Show less

Summary: Overall this is a fantasic keyboard, IMO. However, it's important to note the context of my usage, which is purely as my living room HTPC computer that is hooked ...

Read more

Summary: Overall this is a fantasic keyboard, IMO. However, it's important to note the context of my usage, which is purely as my living room HTPC computer that is hooked up to my 55" Sony LCD. Basically, I wanted a wireless keyboard to use while I lounge on the couch surfing, watching movies, and checking email. Other reviewers rate this keyboard in the context of writing long letters, testing their typing speed, or doing graphic design, etc. No why on Earth would you need an elegant looking, bluetooth enabled keyboard and touch mouse for these purposes? Clearly this keyboard is meant to be a center piece, not tucked under a desk on a keyboard tray, nor is it intended to replace full size keyboards and precision mice for serious productivity applications. Anyway, back to my living room. The charging stand is not only functional, but also creates a nice safe place to house the keyboard while displaying it like a work of art. Now, there are times that I still find the keyboard wedged between the sofa cushions, but that's only because I no longer feel compelled to dock the keyboard after each use. Meaning, it holds it's charge for a long time, so I don't always have to re-dock it each time, which is nice.

Using the keyboard is very comfortable. I don't find that the keys are awkward or similar to laptop keyboards, although it doesn't compare perhaps to full size keyboards, and it does indeed lack a numeric keypad. Again, I'm not sitting here cranking away at my Excel spreadsheets here--I'm surfing and playing.

The functions keys work well for the most part. While the glow feature is cool, I admit that I forget where most of the function keys are unless I press the Fn button first, so perhaps that slows me down sometimes. Also, the zoom buttons have some odd behavior. In most applications they work fine, zooming in and out appropriately. However, when surfing in IE, they seem to be switched--meaning the zoom in button actually zooms out, and vice-versa. Can't tell if it's hardware of software problem, and the software that comes with the device doesn't seem to allow customization of the zoom buttons. There is however some software floating around the web that apparently allows you to customize nearly ever key/button. It's hasn't bothered me enough yet to take the trouble to download that software and try it out. Another con here that I can't necessarily attribute to the device is that the sound buttons and volume control don't appear to work. I have a sneaky suspicion that it's because I'm using the digital audio out on my motherboard, instead of the audio card. At any rate, I'd like to figure that out because volume control is one thing I'd like to have.

The mouse pad is very cool, but it certainly takes some getting used to. I've gotten pretty good with it, but at times it's still challenging to use it with precision. Plus, the scrolling feature is too much of pain to engage properly to be useful. The side scrolling is nearly impossible to work, and even when I do use it, it scrolls SOOO slowly. I'm sure there's a setting in the software to correct the speed, but I haven't bothered because again it's too hard to engage properly anyway. Soneone at Logitech was smart though, and included an extra mouse button on the left hand side of the keyboard, which GREATLY improves the usability of the mouse and click operations. I use this exclusively now instead of the mouse buttons directly under the touch pad.

The responsiveness seems great most of the time, although there are times when the keyboard seems to freeze up, or the mouse disappears. It doesn't happen very often--in fact not once tonight while I've typed this. I usually remedy it by switching the kayboard off and then on again. Works like a charm, and I don't even have to get off the couch. Speaking of which, this keyboard is great to use while kicking back. It fits very comfortably on my lap since it's so flat and thin.

I can't say that my typing is a good test of the responsiveness, but I'd be willing to bet that I type at least as fast as the average user.

Overall: Great wireless keyboard solution, especially for living room / HTPC usage. Kinda pricey, but I haven't seen any other keyboards that look and function this nicely for this application. Spend the money without regret (or find a great deal on Ebay from one of those speed typists

Show less