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Logitech Makes Wireless DiNovo Edge Keyboard for Macs Too
Posted by Kit Eaton at 12:15 AM on August 7, 2008
Logitech's diNovo edge keyboard, originally billed as "the most advanced keyboard in the world" has only been available in Windows versions, but today Logitech are releasing a version for Macs. Just like the original it's got multimedia keys, "PerfectStroke" keys and a touchpad-like touchdisc, but this time it's also got Mac-specific keys for launching apps like Mail and Safari. Plus it's got a power button, so you can switch off your Mac by remote. It connects through Bluetooth, comes with a charger base/stand and will cost you a jot under US$160. Press release below.
FREMONT, Calif. —(Business Wire)— Aug. 6, 2008 Logitech (SWX:LOGN) (NASDAQ:LOGI) today announced the perfect keyboard to complement your Mac(R) computer. The Logitech(R) diNovo Edge(TM), Mac(R) Edition is the newest addition to Logitech's line of award-winning diNovo keyboards and the first diNovo keyboard specially designed for the Mac.
"We're truly delighted to offer discerning Mac enthusiasts our highest quality in keyboard design and performance," said Denis Pavillard, vice president of product marketing for Logitech's keyboards and desktops. "From the piano-black finish to its built-in TouchDisc(TM) touch pad, the diNovo Edge can make it a pleasure for you to type, control music or launch your favourite applications."
Since the introduction of the original diNovo(TM) Media Desktop(R) in 2004, Logitech's diNovo line of distinctive keyboards has garnered many awards in response to its blend of design and performance. The newest diNovo keyboard is exceptionally thin (1/2 inch or 11.05 mm) with a high-gloss, semi-translucent Plexiglas(R) frame, sharp angles and soft-orange backlighting. The aluminium palm rest with anodized-silver finish looks good with any Mac computer, including the iMac(R) and the MacBook(R) Pro.
In addition to its design, the diNovo Edge, Mac Edition features optimised Mac keys for one-touch access to Mail, Safari(TM) and iTunes(R), as well as many other Mac-specific applications. The new Logitech keyboard even offers a Power button that turns your Mac computer on and off, while the TouchDisc allows you to scroll and navigate from your keyboard. Moving a finger up and down or across the disc moves the cursor on the computer screen, and moving the finger in a circular motion around the perimeter of the TouchDisc enables you to scroll horizontally and vertically through documents. (Logitech Control Centre software installation is required for some features.)
For a typing experience that's comfortable, fluid and silent, the new Logitech keyboard features the Logitech PerfectStroke(TM) key system. PerfectStroke is designed to create longer key travel - 3.2 mm compared to 2.2 mm - than that of typical notebook keyboards, which means that the distance your fingers have to travel to activate a key is optimised for your comfort. And because micro-scissors distribute force evenly across key surfaces, even if you strike the edge of a key, the key stroke still feels the same.
An included charging base eliminates the hassle of changing batteries, with a four-hour charge giving you up to one month of battery life. A 10-minute power charge provides one day of use.
So you can get started right away, the new Logitech keyboard connects directly to a Mac computer through Bluetooth(R) wireless technology, providing a range of up to 30 feet.
Pricing and Availability
The Logitech diNovo Edge, Mac Edition cordless keyboard is expected to be available in the U.S. beginning this month. The suggested retail price in the U.S. is $159.99.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
DisposableInterloper
Posted 12:42 AM 7/8/08
@ChristianD:
The DiNovo Edge has an excellent build quality, decent tactile feedback in its keys, and a very snappy wireless connection (good enough for MMO and FPS games). Go play with your $10 piece of shit rubber dome keyboard. I'll stick with something that I can enjoy.
DisposableInterloper
audioeric
Posted 12:41 AM 7/8/08
I was between this and the mini for my Living Room Mac Mini. I ended up picking up the Mini because I wasn't really using it for a lot of typing, more for navigation. At any rate, the mini is awesome also. Both of these worked on Mac's before, they now come with the special stickers on the keys and the awesome Logitech software (yawn).
For a quality bluetooth keyboard and mouse, you would spend almost the same. So, for the integrated trackpad, which is necessary in the living room, and bluetooth, logitech is the only way to go. There are other cheap laptop type layouts, but those are 2.4Ghz RF, and I have way too much other 2.4Ghz stuff, and have never had good luck with those. The logitech mini dinovo synced right away, asked me to hit the keys to verify the language, and that was the last time I had to do that. Quality stuff.
audioeric
Brian Bunch
Posted 12:35 AM 7/8/08
@ChristianD: Glad I could help out. . . I was a little reluctant to spend that much. But it was perfect for what I was looking for. I needed bluetooth with a mouse/trackpad on the keyboard. It was the missing link in my entertainment center. . . .
Brian Bunch
ChristianD
Posted 12:27 AM 7/8/08
@Brian Bunch:
I stand corrected, there really is a sucker born every day. Just kidding, hey if you have that kind of money for a keyboard, I'll sell you a keyboard with a monitor, speakers, a DVD player and a camera all in one packaeg for a cool 1 grand (Thinkpad T60).
ChristianD
ChristianD
Posted 12:24 AM 7/8/08
So who in their right mind is going to spend $160 on this. I have yet to even hear of one person that bought the original windows version and even those accustomed to the Mac tax would likely find that price pure buffoonery.
ChristianD
Brian Bunch
Posted 12:22 AM 7/8/08
No need. I have had the windows version for more than a year now and have been using with my Powerbook. I set up a few controls in the freeware Controllermate program and it has worked perfectly. . . . I was able to use the Apple bluetooth with few problems. . . IMHO, the keyboard is awesome. A must buy if you are using your TV as a monitor. . . .
Brian Bunch
Meursault
Posted 12:21 AM 7/8/08
A wireless keyboard with a built in touch pad is perfect for computing from your TV. Apple needs to get on this and release a Mac Mini with blueray, surround sound and TV card along with a wireless keyboard like this so I can finally live the dream.
Meursault
SigmundTheSeaMonster
Posted 12:19 AM 7/8/08
So, does this use Apple's Bluetooth, or Logictech's Bluetooth USB thing and Logicware (sigh) ?
SigmundTheSeaMonster
future-proof
Posted 1:10 AM 7/8/08
@ChristianD: I have this for over a year hooked up to my HTPC and it just looks good and works awesome. It really is one of the best keyboards out there. If you're happy with $15 plastic POS then be my guest but this thing is absolutely worth it.
future-proof
stretta
Posted 1:05 AM 7/8/08
Where is the, ah, numeric keypad?
stretta
x3r0
Posted 1:04 AM 7/8/08
Cracks my crap up.
I picked up one of these keyboards for Windows close to a year ago. It's the best keyboard I've ever had. I never would have bought it if I didn't find it on sale by typo at Best Buy. Someone made a boo-boo in their system, and the price tag was a whopping $39 when I picked it up, instead of $139 which was the ad price that week.
All in all, a pretty danged good keyboard for one without a numpad.
I still wouldn't pay the original price tag for it though :\
x3r0
Xenocide
Posted 12:59 AM 7/8/08
I love my DiNovo. Works great with my Media Center and is decent for gaming on the side.
Xenocide
urban_alchemist
Posted 12:48 AM 7/8/08
I bought the original to use with my Mac Mini (media-server: needed a wireless keyboard with built-in trackpad to use with it). Works fine - never really wanted any of the mac-specific keys...
urban_alchemist
Brian Bunch
Posted 1:31 AM 7/8/08
For anyone interested in the Windows version:
1. Amazon Price : $134.99
2. Rebate Price : -$50.00 ( Exp : 08/11/08 )
Final Price : $84.99 Shipped After Rebate
Brian Bunch
Citizen Kang
Posted 1:20 AM 7/8/08
I've used mine for over a year. The only drawback, and this is rather huge, is that it no longer holds a charge very well and, as owners of this keyboard know, there's no replacement battery; the battery is part of the unit's form factor. Instead of charging it about every other month, I have to do it every 4 or 5 days. Of course, this happened, after one year has lapsed and it may no longer be under warranty.
Citizen Kang
Scuba Steve
Posted 1:15 AM 7/8/08
I wonder if it handles vista better than my Kensington Pilot POS Mouse and Keyboard combo.
160 is steep, but worth it if you're gaming in the living room. It just better be able to handle fast response times at 25-30 feet.
Scuba Steve
imaginaryplaya'
Posted 1:47 AM 7/8/08
Guys, you can't be both a miser and a gadget-freak at the same time.
Stay at lifehacker.com cheapos!
imaginaryplaya'
Migo
Posted 2:25 AM 7/8/08
@ChristianD: I like to surf the net while lying down on my couch, on a large plasma screen and without having to use a mouse. This keyboard is light, has a very accurate/precise trackpad that beats any of my previous laptops' trackpads, it's a sexy keyboard, the tactile feedback is great and as an industrial designer, I have to say that it is a very high quality product.
A $15 POS keyboard is like commuting to work in a ratty 1992 civic with a broken air conditioner and broken shock absorbers (ask me how I know). This keyboard is like a plush, brand new Mercedes E300 (ask me what I replaced my civic with).
Migo
BigDogues
Posted 2:00 AM 7/8/08
@Brian Bunch: Hey, thanks for that! I have been looking for a replacement for my Gyration keybord and mouse thaat crapped out on me. I was really reluctant to drop $200 on another one. For 85 bucks this will look great in my media room.
BigDogues
jalarmo
Posted 3:12 AM 7/8/08
Why the crap can't Logitech figure out the home/end/delete/printscreen/pageup/pagedown key cluster?
Seriously, that key cluster is meant to be used with THREE FINGERS. Logitech have removed one key and turned it sideways so that it's really hard to use and hard to get used to. You can't use it with your pinky and you can't use it with three fingers the way it's supposed to be used.
If you're going to waste all that space anyway by having dedicated keys for those functions, why not take up an extra 1/2 an inch and make them usable?
This is the reason I can never buy a Logitech keyboard no matter how much I want one. I worked on one for 12 months and never got used to it!
jalarmo
RainyDayInterns
Posted 3:10 AM 7/8/08
We have had this hooked up to our Mac G4 running OSX with no problems for over a year. Would be nice to have the new Mac specific keys....
FirstLook:
[www.rainydaymagazine.com]
FirstUse:
[www.rainydaymagazine.com]
RainyDayInterns
takoattack
Posted 3:56 AM 7/8/08
@VakeroRokero: doubtfull... its bluetooth. stick with usb if you want boot time
takoattack
VakeroRokero
Posted 3:49 AM 7/8/08
does it work during boot time? I have to choose different hd to boot linux and wanna know if everything works before I buy one.
VakeroRokero
PocketLint
Posted 4:32 AM 7/8/08
This keyboard works during boot. I use mine all the time to swap boot order via the bios and the bios sees it just fine.
I love this keyboard. I also have Logitech's air mouse. If I forget to charge the air mouse it great to gave the trackpad available while I charge the mouse for a few minutes. A 5 minute charge on the air mouse is good for at least 10 hours when I can then dock the mouse for the night.
The trackpad has two nice dedicated areas that simulate a scroll wheel both Up/down AND Left/Right.
Only con is the touch/slide area for the volume control sometimes does not sense my touch. I guess those must be those times when I have no soul or I'm having a vampire moment.
PocketLint
collider
Posted 5:12 AM 7/8/08
@jalarmo: I'm having that exact issue with the Razer Tarantula.
collider
rip
Posted 6:07 AM 7/8/08
so will this work with a ps3?
rip
DisposableInterloper
Posted 7:00 AM 7/8/08
@rip:
If you're running Linux on it, perhaps.
DisposableInterloper
JYHASH
Posted 7:31 AM 7/8/08
@stretta: The same place that it is on the Mac's Proprietary bluetooth keyboard.
That's an interesting thing I find though, 2 of the best looking and most functional bluetooth keyboards are missing the 10-key functionality. Is there a technical reason for this? Can the BT not discern between when 10 key is being used and when it's the numerical row? I want to use a BT keyboard at work, but I'd be doubling my work if I didn't have a 10 key to work with.
I have the original DiNovo Edge and it works like a dream. I've never had a loss of connection, the battery lasts FOREVER, and it has very solid construction. The only complaints I have is that the Trackpad's scroll function is a bit wonky (it doesn't always work), and the Logitech Software that is bundled with it to set hot keys doesn't always work. It could be my Windows setup that makes i malfunction, but he full uninstall process for the software suite is very convoluted and dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. it seems a bit outlandish for something as simple as a keyboard integration program.
I'd assume the Mac Software would be better though since it doesn't have to deal with any registry issues and embedded files, but if you're not interested in binding hotkeys, the Keyboard itself works just fine. Looking forward to it.
~JYH
JYHASH
Jurisprudence
Posted 10:34 AM 7/8/08
I am dying to get one of these or my forthcoming iMac 24" but as a complete Growl addict I wonder if the Logitech Control Center scroll enhancer bug has been fixed or whether I can just remove that part of the LCC without losing funcionality of the dinovo. If Logitech haven't gotten their finger out of their ass and cured this bug then I won't be getting one of these. Its Growl over shiny toy any day.
Jurisprudence
Obsidian
Posted 11:52 AM 7/8/08
I can't buy super expensive keyboards. I wear out the keys too fast (frequent typer and heavy FPS gamer). My Logitech Mx700 Duo has groves worn into some of the keys.
Obsidian
josephbphillips
Posted 12:46 PM 7/8/08
Does this software work with the existing keyboards?
Maybe I am missing something, but I just installed the new software from their site and it does not seem to recognize the regular version of this keyboard. The is pretty crappy if they expect us to re-buy the same keyboard with a mac sticker rather than supporting the existing keyboard with the software update.
josephbphillips
OneObuyan
Posted 3:55 PM 7/8/08
@rip: Actually my diNovo Media Desktop Laser, the first early model, the one that came with a bluetooth HUB & mouse cradle charger combo was & still is the best release from Logitech to date. I use that wireless keyboard on every device that comes with bluetooth adapter and it still haven't failed me once. No need for SET POINT software, I use it with My Nokia/ E90/ N95/ on playstation 3 there was no trouble at all. MAC however, I couldn't take advantage of the shortcuts until the MX530 came out.
This new one has to beat Apples own wireless keyboard.
@josephbphillips: Call the support helpline, they should be able to assist you, and don't forget to get back to us with their reply.:)
OneObuyan
godwhacker
Posted 8:59 AM 8/8/08
@Kit Eaton
are you sure this is just one jot below $160.00?
or is it a jot AND tittle below?
HAHAHHAHAHAHA
no really, good reference
godwhacker