Logitech diNovo Edge

Thanks to the fact that the keyboard is pre-charged, it’s good to go straight out of the box. It’s a matter of plugging in the Bluetooth adapter to an available USB port and waiting a minute for it to detect and install. SetPoint, as always, is required for most of the functionality. The setup is just like any other Logitech peripheral, but because of the mouse features, you can open up the configuration for the keyboard under both the mouse and keyboard tabs.

In regards to the touchpad, the SetPoint software allows you to change everything from the sensitivity to the scrolling speed. You can also change the function of pushing both the left and right click buttons at the same time. At default, doing this will activate the document switcher (think ALT+TAB). You can’t manually set a function, but they provide a long list of basic functions to choose from.

The touch volume control is another great feature, but I personally prefer the old fashioned volume up/ down buttons. You might disagree. It’s a simple process regardless. Rub the bar upwards or downwards to effect the volume respectively. At first, I wished that the length of the bar was relative to the actual volume slider, meaning that touching the top would put the volume at it’s maximum. But then I realized that would also be a downside. Imagine playing music or a game and accidentally touching the top of the bar. You would be in for quite a shock, depending on how loud your volume is to begin with.

Using the Edge, to me, was just like using a laptop keyboard. Keystrokes were fluid, and quiet. It may take a little getting used to because it is indeed a different feel than a standard keyboard. I don’t have any complaints to speak of, although I did find myself missing the numpad. I use the numpad often for the calculator, but without it there, I found it easier to just click the calculation in. Another downside is that when you are inside your BIOS, you cannot use the + and – buttons to change values, which you need to do to set the time, overclock, et cetera. That’s because the + and – keys usually belong on the numpad. Laptop keyboards often have dual values on the regular keys. For example, pushing the Fn and ? key on my Dell Inspiron will tell the computer that I am pressing the + button on the numpad.

That’s my biggest gripe about this keyboard. With the lack of a numpad, there -should- be alternate values on certain keys. But, this keyboard is almost strictly for HTPC’s as is evident, so perhaps you won’t need a numpad or those functions. They would have been a nice inclusion regardless.

As a whole, this is a great keyboard. It has the looks, the functionality and superb battery life. I have been using the keyboard for two days now, and I haven’t touched the charger since it came out of the box. Looking at the SetPoint program to get an estimate on remaining battery life, it tells me that there is 24 days left before depletion. I am unsure how accurate this is and I’m sure it will vary depending on usage, but that’s a nice figure to see.

The keyboard is designed to be charged whenever you are finished for the day, thanks to it’s practical base. But, it’s nice to know that there is quite a bit of life in between full charges. If what it says proves true, I don’t see why you would need to charge more than once a month. Because, beside this 24 day estimate, it told me that the batteries were “fair”, not fully charged. I will continue to use the Edge and if anything changes regarding battery life, I will update this review.

Although the Edge was announced in October, it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that e-tailers finally began stocking them. In their press release, Logitech gave the Edge an SRP of $199, and the majority of retailers are sticking to that exact figure. This keyboard is obviously not for everyone, thanks to that heavy pricetag. You are paying for quality and the technology that the Edge implements. I didn’t jump into all of the technologies in great detail, but if you are interested in knowing the nitty gritty, you can download the reviewers guide which explains everything.

This is a fantastic keyboard and is definitely the classiest looking one on the market that will really add some style to your room. I am awarding the diNovo Edge a 9 out of 10, but withholding our Editors Choice award. The keyboard is expensive, but the pluses outweigh the cost. The lack of the numpad and the fact that the board is a huge dust magnet are my biggest gripes.

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