Logitech diNovo Mini
by Logitech
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List Price: Our Price: $109.00 You Save: $40.99 (27%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $68.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech diNovo Mini
Customer Review: Awesome except for battery and software
Summary: 4 Stars
Had this thing about 2 months now. It's fantastic for browsing the web on my HTPC from my couch. Full keyboard is great, fits in my hands well, and is sturdy enough that I don't hesitate to toss it onto the couch when i'm done.
However: This is my second unit from Logitech. The first unit they sent me had a battery life of 2 days, tops, before it would stop responding. The replacement unit lasts 4-5 days before it drops off. I'm in the process of getting this one replaced, too--but it sounds like it might be a chronic issue with this. So, don't believe the battery life of "30 Days"...
Also: as always, Logitech's hardware is leaps and bounds ahead of their software. On Windows 7 Ultimate (32bit), the reprogrammable keys do not work, likely because the software that manages the shortcuts is buggy as all hell. After anywhere from 2 hours to 15 hours, the software will stop responding to the programmed functions, and revert to default functions (or nothing at all). Restarting the program (Logitech SetPoint) doesn't work, and even restarting the whole machine only works half the time. This is with Setpoint 4.8--hopefully to be fixed in later releases.
lastly, the touchpad is quite finicky--especially when the battery isn't fully charged.
Overall, though, there isn't another device I've seen that can perform these functions. All the windows keyboard shortcuts i'm used to work great, and you can't beat chilling on the couch and surfing the web or walking into the kitchen and still being able to control the volume--the bluetooth is great.
Customer Review: Big and fast enough for living room
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had the Mini for about a month now. Still have not recharged it, and using it almost every other day.
Took a little to get the hang of it, specially figuring out how to right click (right thumb Shift+ left thumb "ok" click). My thumbs can reach everywhere, but I think my hands are pretty average. The backlight is very useful during a movie and the cover did not get in the way (it stays put once opened). I haven't installed the software yet as I can adjust the mouse speeds through control panel and all the buttons I need are already mapped. Setting the mouse speed to a little over half was enough to send the cursor from one corner to the other on my 1080p 54" screen with two or three thumb swipes and still give me enough control to select applications.
Bluetooth was important for me, not only for the signal, but also because I'm planning to replace my monster PC in the living room for a Mac mini or a Dell Studio Hybrid. Haven't decided yet and I've have no connectivity issues yet.
I was debating about getting the larger diNovo keyboard after reading reviews, but the Mini is just fine for movie watching, and web surfing. We have other computers around the house for working or playing games, and even a laptop on the coffee table to surf while watching TV, so I didn't need the larger keyboard. Friends and family like that's is so small and doesn't clutter up the coffee table.
Very happy with the item, only improvement I can see would be to install shoulder buttons, like game controllers, or shoulder scroll wheels.
Customer Review: At last - something living room friendly
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been waiting for about 2 years for something like this for our HTPC - which is our main TV/DVD/Music system at home. We'd bought one of the Microsoft MCE keyboards which was awful. Although you could easily use it on your lap, the IR connection and the mouse stick meant that typing/mouse control when out of Media Center was almost impossible.
However, the diNovo Mini is great. A really sensitive mousepad, bluetooth simple, good 'thumbable' keys for both native OS and MCE, fits nicely in the hands... make using the non-MCE applications a breeze on the main HTPC (Skype, Slingplayer, Flickr Uploader, switching screens to projector etc). I particularly like the toggle between PC and MCE mode - really simple. I'm nor sure what else could be done about the lid by the designers. I like it as keep the keys protected and hidden most of the time; when lifted up it powers the unit on and, well, it's for sorting entertainment stuff out, not serious typing, so having the lid hinged up (rather than fold underneath) isn't a big deal. Adds a veil of mystery if anything to others in the living room (what am I up to?).
The only thing that seems to be missing is the 'i' (information) button I have on other MCE controls. The " and ' key are via a function key, but I really don't think I'll be needing them much anyway from my sofa. I have a great system and keyboard on a desk for serious typing.
This is a well designed product that sits discretely on a bookshelf/coffee table when not in use - and I can thoroughly recommend it for HTPC users
Customer Review: A Step in the Right Direction
Summary: 4 Stars
I've been using the diNovo Mini for over a month now on a computer connected to my LCD TV and I like it. It is much better than trying to use a large keyboard and a mouse in the living room. The keyboard is just large enough that that you can hit the keys without making mistakes. The lighting of the keys work well in the dark. The blue tooth remote works great and I can use it anywhere in my house. The battery life is good. I re-charge it once every 2 weeks and that's fine with me. It will also run while it's plugged in being charged, so you can use it either way.
The only complaints I have it that the little thumb pad used for moving the mouse pointer is a little clunky and sometimes has a mind of it's own. I think it's too small an area to move your thumb around and I hope future models either have a larger pad area or better yet, replace the pad with a small thumb stick. Another issue is that there is no dedicated "right click" button. In order to "right click" you have to hold the "fn" key then press the "ok" button. I really don't know what Logitech was thinking, because I think that is major design error on their part.
One other issue is that I wish that they included dedicated arrow keys instead of having to hit a switch, then use the thumb pad as the arrow keys. It's a minor complaint.
In all, is a huge step up from using a keyboard and mouse if you surf the web from your couch, and definitely worth buying if you spend most of your time surfing the web from the comfort of your living room.
Customer Review: one major flaw
Summary: 2 Stars
We've used this keyboard for over a year now to direct a Mac Mini which we have hooked up to our big-screen TV. Its a neat device, but definitely not a rugged one, which is very unfortunate given the steep price. The bottom row of keys is no longer working and one of the plastic covers above the trackpad popped off and we were unable to reattach it, so we are now looking for a replacement.
In fairness, we have two little kids who dropped diNovo Mini multiple times on a wooden floor from 2-3 feet, which was the main cause of damage to the unit. However, all of our other regular TV remotes are many years old and have been dropped hundreds of time and keep ticking, but not this device.
The device also occasionally loses the Bluetooth connection, which is fixed relatively easily by pulling out the USB Bluetooth antennae unit and plugging it back in.
In addition, diNovo Mini has one major design flaw. There is a gap on the back of the unit, so if you hold the back of the unit when opening the lid, your finger can get pinched between the back part of the opening cover and the gap in the back of the unit, which has happened to me several times and is an EXTREMELY PAINFUL experience and something that Logitech needs to fix.
Despite the several real issues mentioned above, I may end buying the same replacement unit though, since there does not appear anything that has the same set of features in this compact of a form factor on the market.