Hands-on with the Logitech diNovo Edge

We got to take an early look at Logitech's new flagship keyboard -- the diNovo Edge -- and we liked what we saw. Sure, we could go on about the lack of a Mac diNovo version, but there's still so much good to find. The soft touch plastic wrist-rest has been replaced by a slick aluminum finish; the surface of the 0.75-inch thick keyboard, while now the same fingerprint-magnetized plastic finish as one would expect to find on their iPod or like devices, is refreshing amongst the many-shades-of-gray diNovo line. The sensors both on the volume strip and on the touch pad both worked well, and the circular scrolling motion on the pad is a nice touch. Watching the function keys light up from beneath is rather entertaining for those easily amused by LEDs (such as ourselves), and it finally solves the issue of knowing which key mode one's keyboard is in (i.e. no more hitting F5 ten times during a Jobsnote until remembering to hit the function key to re-enable it). All in all we think Logitech is off to a great start on their new line, even though it's still sans numeric keypad in the same unit. But as a HTPC / Media Center keyboard that you might move off the desk and onto the couch every once in a while, we'd be more than happy to have this thing furnishing our living room. Click on for a up-close of the light up keys.

[MonkeyHood @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:28AM]

Why's the second picture so blurry?

[Ryan Block @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:41AM]

Because: 1) it wasn't well lit, 2) it's a black shiny object, very hard for a point and shoot to lock on, 3) I suck at taking pictures.

[Alex @ Oct 3rd 2006 4:51AM]

Maybe you should hire me to take the pictures. ;)

[Daniel @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:05AM]

Why are the Y and Z keys switched?

[rasmus @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:10AM]

my guess is that it's german layout.

[pableu @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:12AM]

Daniel, because it isn't a US-layout. It's CH_DE, Swiss German.

[foe83 @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:14AM]

Anyone hating the small enter key?

[Totalfixation @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:30AM]

if you look at the previous blog, its the US layout with a regular enter key.

[Raghu @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:30AM]

I think the small vertical enter key is also a Euro layout. I have been struggling with that in the UK too.

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:40AM]

The touch controls were the only thing I liked in my disastrous run-in with the BT Desktop 5000.

This looks a little too fingerprint-y and I need the numeric pad.

[Jonathan @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:41AM]

Looks amazing, but my friend had the old diNovo and he said it performed like shit. I thought Bluetooth was supposed to operate better than RF? I have a Logitech wireless keyboard and it's pretty laggy.

[Shmee150 @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:58AM]

It hasn't hit the Logitech website yet :(

Anybody know when it might be available? My current diNovo has had a good 2 years but it's starting to wear thin and this is just a perfect replacement naturally :)

ShMeE

[Mephistophelian @ Oct 3rd 2006 6:32AM]

Where's the one wiTHOUT THE CAPS LOCK KEY?

[Nick @ Oct 3rd 2006 7:14AM]

Great photography on the keys o_O

[chris @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:08AM]

where is the number/numeric pad? there'll be a seperate one?

[Simon @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:51AM]

I have a dinovo for 2 years and i've only had to replace the 2xAA batteries once in that time. I wonder if the added LED's/touchpads will hit battery life.

Same enter key as the current dinovo, I get along just fine with it, and I haven't even properly used my dinovo's numeric pad so I doubt i'll be too fussed that this one doesn't have one

[Hunt @ Oct 3rd 2006 9:49AM]

As a long time user of a diNovo, I have mixed emotions about this one. Mainly, am I ready to drop another $200 on the most beautifullest keyboard... Oh wait.. Yes I am.

BTW, http://inputreview.com/ has more diNovo pr0n than you can shake a stick at.

Supposedly, the German version of the Edge has been out for a while (since at least last week). Google it and you'll see.

[JBo @ Oct 3rd 2006 10:57AM]

I hope they've improved the BT on this one. I have a diNovo wireless at work, and the BT version at home. The plain old wireless version works far better than the frustrating BT POS. I may end up needing a new one simply because I'm very close to chucking it across the room.

[Andy @ Oct 3rd 2006 11:29AM]

Are the keys backlit as the Microsoft 8000? It doesn't seem like it. Neither has a numeric pad, but the Microsoft one at least has a laptop kind of num pad where you have a function key to activate the num pad over the main keyboard. It seems apart from shininess, this logitech doesn't hold a candle to the Microsoft. The Microsoft also comes with the top-of-the-line mouse, for $50 more.

I have the actual Dinovo wireless, which I use flawlessly with the MX1000 on the same receiver, but I think I'll get the Microsoft 8000 next. I really have been waiting for backlit keys, among other things that the Microsoft has.

[Andy @ Oct 3rd 2006 11:33AM]

Also, I haven't been able to confirm this, but it seems that the Microsoft 8000 charges the mouse (and maybe the keyboard too) by induction, meaning no metal contacts. My Logitech MX1000 is failing to make contact when I place it on the dock, I have to place it carefully, even though I clean the contacts regularly. Other than that, it works fine, but the Microsoft one looks to be just as good. Anyone knows about this?

[Sean Jackson @ Oct 3rd 2006 12:24PM]

do they make a sexy ergonomic version?

[HWH @ Oct 3rd 2006 5:33PM]

While there is no Mac version currently, is there any mention of the possbility of a Mac version? It seems that the Mac market might show a higher proclivity to drop the big bucks for a nicely-designed keyboard.

[rockintom99 @ Oct 3rd 2006 8:03PM]

Damn, if the touchpad was under the spacebar, I would buy it instantly. I love on laptops, how you can move the cursor without lifting your hands off the keyboard, but to have the pad be off to the right, you would have to move your hand.

Otherwise, it *does* look pretty nice.

[michael @ Oct 3rd 2006 10:28PM]

What are they going to do re: numeric keypad????? I called Logitech and they don't seem to even have one planned...

[Erik Young @ Oct 4th 2006 9:49AM]

No back-lit keys? No thanks.

[Chuckles McGee @ Oct 4th 2006 9:35PM]

For all you capslocks haters, remember that you can always disable the key in your registry....(google it!)

I just hope that Logitech gets the connection software right. Getting the current Dinovo, mx laser and wireless media pad to all connect at once is a pretty amazing process.

[aikkon @ Nov 19th 2007 11:18AM]

Does it only work with incorporated usb-receiver? I mean, is it possible to connect the keyboard with a generic bluetooth receiver? or for example, the BT integrated in a laptop?

thanks