Rating: Summary: Excellent Design & Performance Review: I saw the DiNovo desktop and immediately was taken by the design. The styling, color and cordless factor fit in wonderfully with my all black Shuttle SB75G2 and black LCD. I started to get a little concerned after reading some of the comments left by people about lag and software issues. I went for it anyway, followed the advice on Logitech's forums about how to install the software and updates (not taking ANY shortcuts or deviating from the order of install). IT HAS WORKED FLAWLESSLY! The only quirks are that if I have been away from my PC and it has gone to screensaver, the bluetooth seems to 'sleep' and takes a couple seconds to reconnect (all I have to do is click a key or the mouse). I do not notice any lag with the devices at all, I even play Day of Defeat online without trouble (not necessarily an endorsement for gamers, but certainly workable). The software has worked well and I can use the keyboard across the room from my couch without losing connection (approx. 10' - haven't tried further).
Anyone thinking of this should not be scared off by those negative reviews, they seem to be user problems rather than hardware/software problems.
Rating: Summary: Beautifully designed, cutting-edge technology that works! Review: I'm a computer consultant and I just upgraded to a new Dell i8600 laptop. I ordered it with a built-in Bluetooth card, with the idea that I would find a wireless Bluetooth keyboard and mouse with it.My goal was to be able to move my laptop from desk to couch (or airplane) and easily take my keyboard and mouse with me, without unplugging/replugging a wireless adapter with each move. I looked at the original Microsoft Bluetooth KB/mouse, but after reading bad reviews on it, kept looking. I was also turned off by the size/shape/bulk of Logitech Cordless MX for BT, and was concerned that I might not find what I wanted. When I saw the diNovo at CompUSA before Christmas, it was love at first sight. I then found a review that confirmed that it works, along with generally positive threads on the Logitech community site. I took the plunge, and ordered it from Amazon (to beat the high retail store price). I have used it now for a good month, and still think it is fantastic: the right size and weight keyboard to sit comfortably in my lap (and me on the couch, where I'm typing from now). The mouse and KB both have a quality feel, and do what they do with great precision. And most importantly, they work with the built-in Bluetooh card on my Dell -- even though I did have to sacrifice the full functionality of the MediaPad (which I really don't need anyway, nor do I use all the fancy buttons on the KB), because I did not install the SetPoint software (could not do this *and* use the built-in BT stack on my 8600). If you are looking for the best wireless keyboard with the latest technology that money can buy (and are willing to spend it), and your needs are simialr to mine, you too will love this product.
Rating: Summary: Beautiful, well-engineered, the perfect snob keyboard Review: I'm a software developer, and I rely on my keyboard, mouse, monitors, and chair for my livelihood. Recently, I bought a diNovo setup to replace my aging Microsoft Natural, and I'm more than pleased by the change. Having worked almost exclusively on a laptop for the past few years, I've become accustomed to the short-keystroke keyboard, and the diNovo keyboard feels EXACTLY right. It lies perfectly flat in the keyboard tray and responds with a light touch for rapid, easy typing. It's unencumbered by wires or other connections to the desktop, and I can move it around at will to get closer to books or to just get in a comfortable "web-surfer" pose. I would imagine other keyboards to be more ergonomically sound from some points of view, but the diNovo keyboard feels right to me--large enough, light and easy to type, and a joy to behold. The mouse is large and heavy--just right for my tastes, and also wireless. It has a few extra buttons, but unlike other manufacturers, Logitech did not place the extras in positions to be inadvertently pressed. It has good resolution, and is easy to use for extended periods. The best features of the set is undoubtedly the software. The keypad display responds to Windows Media Player by displaying the current track, time, etc. Scroll-lock, Num-lock, System volume, and other settings are displayed in an on-screen display like those of your television, quickly alerting you to the accidental caps-lock press BEFORE you scream-and-backspace. All hot-keys and whatnot are controllable through the software; the set is easily configurable to your every whim. I love it, and I haven't even USED Bluetooth yet for anything other than the included pieces. It will be interesting to see how the batteries hold up (4 in the keyboard, 2 for the pad, and 2 rechargeable in the mouse) in the long-term, but for now, I'm completely satisfied.
Rating: Summary: No backlight Review: I'm a tech geek so this sleekly designed keyboard was a must-have for me. I noticed that the mouse that came with mine was very generic and the price is about $100 less than what I'm seeing advertised. I bought a laser mouse instead.
This is my first wireless keyboard. My reason for buying it other than the design was that I feel retrained by wires when using my keyboard and mouse.
The only drawback to me is that there are no indicator lights for the Caps Lock or any other keys to indicate whether or not they are active. And honestly at this price, I'd like the entire keyboard to have a backlight option.
Rating: Summary: nice design, but often stops working Review: Nice keyboard, nice design, but its no good if it doesn't work. Setup was problematic. Just stops working on occassion, not much good if it looks and feels great but just doesn't work! Will change my rating if it works!
Rating: Summary: Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Troubles Review: On my second diNovo keyboard right now. The 1st (returned) keyboard generated double characters along the number key row all the way over to the PgUp key. Imagine how anoying that is when your trying to login. Exact same recognition errors on the 1st keyboard as the second.
While I have been in love with all of Logitech devices (over 10) previously this device falls way short on software execution. My P4 would not recognize the keyboard which meant I had to plug in a corded keyboard just to log in. Then while Live, unplug this keyboard and plug in the diNovo. I hate doing that, It's just not right and I doubt its truly safe for the system.
Thats when the real fun begins!
Logitech's software would not and never did recognize the keyboard. No matter how many different methods I tried, including all of the "recomended procedures" it was NEVER recognized by Logitech's software.
If you want an opinion, skip All of Logitech's reconition software and go ahead and use the additional Bluetooth software for recognition. This requires you to enter a "ID key" for the keyboard as well as the media keypad. Whats not apparent is that, as you enter these digits, you don't have any way of knowing your entry is being accepted. Take my advice and enter the key digits and press the enter key anyway. You'll know soon enough if your entry was accepted or not.
I had plans to use this keyboard from the couch, with the 50" plasma as my display. While this eventually does work, Logitech is to be scolded and kept late into the night after "working hours" until they can execute this the wayt it should have been in the 1st place. Very bad, Logitech, very, Very BAD!
I have and will always use trackballs for my pointing device. I hate sliding mice, because if your editing a bitmap for instance, the mouse always moves to the wrong pixel when I click on the buttons. Besides, I don't have plans to have a flat "desk" to run these mice around on. My favorite is the their cordless optical trackman. Since I could not buy the diNovo with this mouse, I'm made to utilize both mice, which is fine, IF IT ALWAYS WORKED. It appears that the two pointing devices are nearly mutually exclusive, which means your gonna have trouble trying to keed the trackman conected. It happens to work right now, but I'm not gonna hold my breath.
This installation was performed on a very clean, fresh install of W2K, meaning All windows updates were installed, all of the new hardware device drivers were downloaded and installed etc. All of this was performed before installing any sotware, including the diNovo.
I am so freaking mad at Logitech right now. $250 for this, thats unacceptable.
PS. The setpoint software on the CD is 1.02. The current download is 2.11. Neither works as they should.
Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions. Included below is a copy of my original debug emails, verbatim.
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Rating: Summary: drivers lacking. ati deja vu Review: The Bad: The buttons on this mouse do not function as MOUSE4 and MOUSE5, as do the micrsoft intellimouse in games. Good luck binding them to actions. The setpoint software (currently version 1.04) is extremely clunky and feels like it was rushed to be made. In order to use the taskswitch button on the mouse, you must install this software. The software implements a different method for mouse acceleration than the windows driver. To get a feel for what the "low" mouse acceleration is with the SetPoint software, set your windows mouse acceleration to "high". The media buttons on the keyboard still work, but without the setPoint software, you must have your media player set as the active window for next track buttons to work. If you're in a game, you can either install setpoint, and have your mouse acceleration altered, or not install setpoint, and not be able to control your music in-game. As of the date of this writeup, the LCD display will only get email messages from Outlook Express. Outlook 2000/XP, or any other email program will not work with the display. Only MSN Messenger will display messages - users of yahoo and aol instant messenger will not benefit from the display. There are currently no public plans to support any other software packages. There is no public API for programming the Logitech DiNovo keyboard/mouse combo. Don't expect your bluetooth cell phone to take full advantage of the logitech bluetooth hub. Currently the only cell phone that allows transfer, sync, AND text messaging through the keyboard is the Siemens S56. Check the logitech site for information on which bluetooth devices work with the bluetooth hub. The MediaKeypad also feels more like you're holding a book in your hand, and not as much a remote control. It's a lot larger in real life. The good: Excellent keyboard and mouse with feel and ergonomics. Bluetooth hub also doubles as a mouse recharging station. Media pad has a 4-function "calculator" mode. Media pad can be put on either side of the keyboard, or even in your desk drawer... which is where it will probablly end up, since the LCD screen will probablly only function for you to display the current date.
Rating: Summary: great but key problem Review: this is a great set, not so easy to install though. Once you pass that, the whole set is great. amazing feel, responsiveness, connectivity, everything. THe only and huge problem I had is that the left side control key got kinda stuck. stopped working then. and so far no support from logitech, no email reply, no nothing. its bad for such an amount of money. if this is solved, without a doubt this is the best keyboard around. neat. but...
Rating: Summary: Nice keybaord, but beware of problems Review: This is a really nice keyboard and mouse combo.. when it works. Being a top of the line product and the high price, you would expect that Logitech would place a big emphasis on quality control. Unfortunately this doesn't appear to be the case as I've had to return my keyboard after only two weeks. During the first week, two of the keys stopped working, then they became stuck on permanently and finally stopped working again. The keyboard is also very battery hungry. The media pad range was diminished by about half after only two weeks of using it so you better keep a healthy supply of AA batteries on hand. The mouse runs flat after 2-3 days if you don't remember to put it in the recharge docking station at night. I also had reoccurring problems with connectivity whereby the software would prompt for a blue-tooth connection code. Although Logitech claims full pre-boot support, I couldn't get into the windows pre-boot menu, only the BIOS. All of this may sound like doom and gloom, but in reality it still is an awesome keyboard, especially the media pad with the LCD display. You'd put up with most of the problems if the whole combo was a lot cheaper, but given the top of the line cost, you should get top of the line product, which unfortunately you don't.
Rating: Summary: The Worst keyboard on earth Review: Very simple, if you want your life to be in peace, please don't even think to buy this. I literally had to throw this in to the trashcan. It worked, nice for a few months, (2), then the nightmare started. Losing connection every 15 minutes, then the left ctrl key, stopped to work, then the left alt key. I reinstalled every thing several times, without any success. Finally, to get this nightmare worst, 2 key pads came out. I wrote several times to Logitech. No answer. I decided to throw it away. Very very disappointed, and it wasn't a $ 25 keyboard
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