I've never understood the "why" of a wireless keyboard. I mean, you are sitting in front of your display, right? Neither you nor it are going to be going anywhere. So why the need for a wireless keyboard? It seems to me all you get are batteries that need regular recharging along with extra complexity and possible wireless interference...for what purpose? What gain?

It's not like a wireless mouse, which I understand and use. A mouse needs to move--a lot--and sometimes the cord can get in the way. Thus a wireless mouse can be a win. But not your keyboard, it is completely stationary. So can anybody explain to me the thrill of a wireless keyboard?

And, if you do go wireless, a question specific to this Logitech keyboard: why in tarnation does it have to be so frakin' big? Why impose on us a presumably non-detachable "wrist rest"--don't need, don't want, don't have room for such on my desk.

bosskev

I'm a big fan of Logitech's stuff and if I wind up with a desktop Apple I'd probly look into this fairly seriously. Looks like a nice bit of hardware :D

Oropix

...but even without it the keyboard takes up a not insubstantial amount of space...

So it doesn't not take up a substantial amount of space? At least it appears to be able to cut cake.

dingus

What's the range on this puppy?
I tried using the Apple BT keyboard with the Mini in my living room and it keeps losing connection.

Dunny0, Team T/A

@: Well, I suppose but honestly I prefer to avoid trackpads whenever I can.

Xavoc

Did Steve Jobs approve this? Based on my religion, if he hasn't approved it, I can't even look at it.

aliskaba

@Xavoc:
The Apple Bluetooth keyboard would be perfect with a trackpad, like the Logitech has (but centered, not off to the right side)

Looks good. The original was designed in Ireland.

Why wouldn't I just buy the Apple Bluetooth keyboard instead?

Now if they'd release apple drivers for the G15 keyboard and G7 mouse...

Xavoc

@bosskev: I use a wireless keyboard because my mbp is my primary computer and when I use it at my desk all I have to do is plug in my external display and I'm good to go (well, stay)

I agree with the too big part. It would be nice to have something in between Apple's bluetooth laptop keyboard and that giant.

Ethan Halko!

Looks nice. Apple keyboards are usually useless. I find the new aluminum Apple "calculator" keyboard very suspect. Seriously, for mac, it's always been Logitech, MS, or bust when it comes to keyboards.

newgalactic

I have the Windows version of this keyboard that I've been using with a Mac mini (had to re-route some keys, but it works fine) and I have to say that it's a terrible keyboard for the money. The frame feels sturdy and nice, but the keys have a very cheap feel to them, and the height is like they couldn't decide on whether they wanted to be lap top keys, or desk top ones. The trackpad barely works, and it also feels horrible. At the top and right side of the track pad, it's got these "scroll regions" and you're supposed to circle around (like the click wheel on an iPod) but when you do, it gets confused about whether you want to scroll up/down or left/right, and the trackpad and region are both small, so often times you'll fall out of the scroll zone and just start moving the mouse again. For $160, just buy the Apple bluetooth keyboard, and then you have $80 to spend on booze! =]

teexcue

@bosskev: Media centers are a good reason for wireless keyboards. I don't want long ass USB cables running from my TV to my couch.

Dunny0, Team T/A

@aliskaba: I agree completely. Where is your temple of Jobs located? I go to the one in San Francisco.

teexcue

There's a variety of reasons. First, you could have an HTPC in your living room. You might also not like wires around. You're also more free to shift it around; sometimes I'll lean back in my comfy chair, prop my feet up on the coffee table, drop my wireless keyboard in my lap and continue typing. Now, I live in a studio, with pretty much clear sightlines from everywhere to the TV which I use as my computer monitor. So I can bring over my keyboard over to the kitchen look at recipes (no worries about raw food; I use my elbows to move the arrow keys), change music with the multimedia keys, etc.

I'm willing to bet that most people choose it for less clutter, though.

bluemonq

2 years for something widely available in PC to come out for Mac. Holy crap they are getting faster!

robpruitt

@teexcue: I completely disagree. I also have the windows version and I have been using it with my mac for over a year now. The trackpad scroll function works perfectly fine once you get the hang of it. Within a week I was scrolling up and down and back and forth without any issues.

Also, some people have commented on the usefulness of a wireless keyboard in general. For me, since I have my desktop hooked up to my television and no desk to speak of, a wireless keyboard with a built in trackpad was my only keyboard option. I've been very happy with the Logitech, never had any range issues or lack of signal, and found the keys to be quite comfortable. For a media center keyboard, this thing is next to perfect.

samrosenb

Uhhh you have to map the keys with a third party program, but it's feasible to use the windows version of the keyboard on a mac.

I also don't have as much of a problem with the trackpad, but I admittedly don't use it much - I think you have to "flick" across the scrolling region. Most of the time I just spacebar to scroll.

Also, to reiterate my comment from the last Dinovo Edge Mac article, I think it is ridicules that I can't use the new Mac drivers with the existing "Windows" keyboard.

Instead I need to go buy the "Mac" version with a couple of keys switched in order to use the Mac drivers.

Really?!

I looked to exhaustion for quality keyboards with trackpads or trackballs and this is as good as it gets. The battery life is great, the aesthetics are pleasing, and the build quality is above average.

That being said, the trackpad is crappy. Having it off to the side is awkward and the inefficient scroll "feature" is a pain as well.

I do like this as a lap keyboard better than the apple BT KB as the wider and deeper surface is much more stable.

Why something other than a Apple keyboard? Because Apple keyboards are crap, that's why. And don't even get me started on the wireless mighty, piece of shit, mouse.

BigDogues

Didn't like the fact that it's all black with that white palmrest.
Not that I don't like Logitech keyboards... mine is the first version of DiNovo, and after it I can never return to classic keyboards again.

But I guess it would be nicer if the keyboard was all white...

Bokusatsu_Tenshi

I just got the PC version for $80. I'd been wanting it for a while. For that price it is a great keyboard. For $160 it still might be a great keyboard. I spent $15 dollaras on my last keyboard, so these high prices were hard to swallow.

taciturnforsale

Strike 1: Spongy keys -- no good for serious typing

Strike 2: Bluetooth -- historically short range on mac

Strike 3: Batteries -- gonna die when you need it

Strike 4: No numeric keypad -- no good for serious typing

Strike 5: Black. Black? Mac KBDs are white. FCOL.

Strike 6: Many keys aren't illuminated (17 are)

Strike 7: Not buckling spring

Strike 8: It's huge, *especially* for no keypad.

Strike 9: "fn" key moved (Logitech says it is there)

Strike 10: Seems to be entirely missing F13 through F19

...now of course, if I actually *tried* one, I imagine I might find a few other issues. But I'm not going to, because this is an extremely poor attempt at a "premium" keyboard.

fyngyrz

Add Matias' Tactile Pro 2 keyswitches and I'm sold.

Schalliol

Does the trackpad do two-finger scroll? That's the killer feature of Apple's trackpads. Hate using any trackpad now that lacks it.

Repton

159?! I'll just stick with my 49$ Thin Aluminum keyboard, thanks. It's got a USB hub (albeit with only 2 ports... but it's ALWAYS in use!) and a num pad.

The only thing I wished it had was LED backlighting.

PlayerX

@Repton: Just one finger, unfortunately.

Jason Chen

This is a hot keyboard. I'm getting it but I hope future revisions have a smaller footprint.

You dont have a friggin clue about this board do you? I have the pc version and...

a. i dont charge it but once a month or two

b. the keys are made like a laptop- i.e. silent not to wake the wifey

c. range- I can be in my nieghbors apartment next door and still make range.

d. not all keys need to be lit up. take a typing class

e. wireless function- i use it on all of my pc's, my server, and my htpc. i just plug in the dongle and take a seat. perfect form and function. trackpad in case im lazy and didnt plug in a mouse.

IN SHORT...you dont have a clue at all do you? I own this thing. Perhaps you should pony up some money before you make a comment on a product you obviously know nothing about.@fyngyrz:

knappoleon

@fyngyrz: most keyboards dont have f13-f19. You are right about it being huge for what it is offering. The keyboard looks like it had the same keys as my dell laptop from 6 years ago.

vinnyr

I see the point of the keyboard, but the price politics are a joke. Logitech takes two years to release this as a Mac version, and asks twice the price.
Personally, I'm willing to pay as much as 60 bucks for a quality keyboard. Anything past that price point either has a lot of thingamajigs I don't need, or a label I don't particularly care for.

Hvedhrungr

@teexcue: So you paid over $150 on a PC keyboard for your mac mini, go on to list all the things 'terrible' about it, and you're still using it? Great endorsement! (facepalm)

I've had the PC version for almost 2 years and had nothing but a great experience with it. The range beats any other BT keyboard out there currently, and its the best for a HTPC setup. Otherwise its overkill/over priced to be a desktop KB replacement. Just MHO.

TKWarrior

the battery life on my pc version is actually quite amazing. it holds a charge for like two months, and comes with a docking stand for charging.

takoattack

In general, I agree with bosskev about the utility of a wireless keyboard. I don't understand why anyone would use one with a desktop computer. I use the PC version of the DiNovo on the sofa with a wooden keyboard lap tray. My laptop sits on a laptop stand that puts the monitor at eye level. This arrangement keeps me from having to hunch over a laptop on my lap and saves my back and neck.

I can't believe teexcue is using the same keyboard that I am, because my experience is exactly the opposite. I don't think the keys feel cheap, the trackpad works great, and the scroll works fine.

One caveat: I had to return my original DiNovo to Logitech because it started to lose its ability to hold a charge after about two months. To their credit, Logitech send me a new one pretty quickly and I haven't had the same problem with the new one, although the charges don't seem to last as long after awhile.

All in all, it's the perfect keyboard. If they came out with a corded version (since I don't need cordless on a desktop, I don't want the hassle of having to charge it), I'd think about using it with my Mac Mini.

mlibrescu

@bosskev: I have snagged my leg around the wire and yanked the keyboard down from the keyboard tray too many times to count! That's one reason to not have a wire, and it's good enough for me. :D

silence04

@silence04: What are your legs doing up on your desk, anyway?

I don't understand the need for a wireless keyboard, either.

baristabrawl

@bosskev: I'm still waiting for someone to give me a valid reason to use a wireless keyboard. Media centres, perhaps laptops docked at home... but really.

Seems like a waste of energy (especially if you're using AA's, thanks Apple.)

jbang