Logitech diNovo Mini Black Portable Keyboard

Nearly perfect HTPC Control

Strengths: Great size, long battery life, and nearly a complete keyboard and mouse substitute

Weakness: PC/PS3 switch inconveniently located; function keys could have been implemented by having more of the keys do double-duty as blue-colored "Fn" options

I agree entirely with the review written in early April by another user. This is an awesome device - one of those rare PC-related purchases that will make you absolutely delighted, with a minimum of fuss. I would add that switching back from PS3 control to HTPC control has a glitch besides moving the switch inside the battery compartment: even after I went into the PS3's menu and told it to...
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I agree entirely with the review written in early April by another user. This is an awesome device - one of those rare PC-related purchases that will make you absolutely delighted, with a minimum of fuss. I would add that switching back from PS3 control to HTPC control has a glitch besides moving the switch inside the battery compartment: even after I went into the PS3's menu and told it to disconnect from the keyboard, and of course having moved the switch on the keyboard...it was STILL controlling the PS3, and not the HTPC! To go back to HTPC control, I had to delete the keyboard from the PS3's accessories list, and then re-pair the keyboard with the HTPC.

By Mason Storm - May 3, 2008

The Essential Home Theater Keyboard

Strengths: integrated cursor, keyboard, and media center controls; living room-friendly clamshell design; excellent battery life; PS3 compatibility

Weakness: frustrating touchpad control; dirt and fingerprint magnet

When I recently purchased my first home theater PC (HTPC), my first order of business was to locate a keyboard & mouse that would be comfortable to use in my living room on a regular basis. I was frustrated to find only a few devices designed specifically to be used with HTPC systems, and none of those seemed adequate for the task. There were one or two devices that integrated keyboards and a...
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When I recently purchased my first home theater PC (HTPC), my first order of business was to locate a keyboard & mouse that would be comfortable to use in my living room on a regular basis. I was frustrated to find only a few devices designed specifically to be used with HTPC systems, and none of those seemed adequate for the task. There were one or two devices that integrated keyboards and a touchpad or trackball, but the sheer size of these units made their use in the living room less than ideal. Just when it seemed as if I would have to settle for one of these options, Logitech released the diNovo Mini Keyboard.

The diNovo Mini integrates keyboard and mouse functionality into a compact package; it features a palm-sized keyboard and a built-in touchpad that serves double duty as a directional pad. The fist thing one notices about the Mini is its size: it's tiny. The Mini includes a translucent black clamshell cover that closes when the device is not in use, which allows the unit to stylishly sit on a coffee table without taking up a lot of real estate or drawing much attention to itself--one thing that no other HTPC keyboard combo has yet managed to accomplish.

The Mini includes a full QWERTY keyboard designed to be used for two-thumb typing (much like a BlackBerry Curve) and it is comfortably held in both hands. The keyboard is effective for quick tasks such as typing an email, web address, instant message, or username and password, but you wouldn't want to use it for any serious text input or document editing. Logitech has managed to squeeze almost complete keyboard functionality into the Mini; the only thing missing are the function keys, which are replaced by dedicated media playback and volume controls.

For cursor control, the Mini includes a touchpad that is designed to be operated with the thumb of your right hand. It also includes a mode switch which enables the touchpad to function as a directional pad, allowing easy navigation in Windows Media Center. The touchpad can be frustrating. Moving the cursor across the desktop is fairly easy, but precise control is difficult. Clicking on an icon in the quick launch bar can be a frustrating experience, not to mention attempting to use the cursor to select a line of text. Likewise, the touchpad can also behave erratically when operating in its directional pad mode. During testing, I found that the touchpad would sometimes fail to respond to repeated downward presses. Granted, the diNovo Mini and its touchpad are incredibly small, but I would expect that a more responsive touchpad could have been used.

The Mini is a Bluetooth device, and the package includes a Bluetooth transmitter that can be plugged into any free USB port on your PC. Installation is simple and straightforward: insert and charge the battery, plug the USB dongle into your PC, and install the included software. After installation, I did encounter a problem with my PC not recognizing the Mini after I rebooted, but following the troubleshooting suggestions in the manual quickly solved the problem.

The Mini includes a rechargeable battery and an AC adapter, which plugs directly into the back of the unit. The Logitech software included with the device monitors the battery status and also allows users to fine-tune the sensitivity of the touchpad and the behavior of the cursor. Battery life is outstanding; I've been using the Mini for about three weeks, and it still indicates a good charge.

As an added feature, the diNovo Mini is compatible with Sony's PlayStation 3. To enable PS3 functionality, however, you are required to remove the battery cover and switch the Mini from PC to PS3 mode, which could grow tiresome if you would like to frequently use it to control both devices. It would have been nice if Logitech placed this switch in a more accessible location.

Aside from sometimes frustrating touchpad control, my only other complaint is how quickly and visibly its smooth surface collects dirt and fingerprints. Thankfully, Logitech includes a cleaning cloth in the box, but you'll want to make sure that you wash your hands before using this keyboard.

Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase of the Logitech diNovo Mini. It allows me to effectively control my HTPC from the comfort of my sofa without having to struggle with a separate, full-size keyboard and mouse. Is this the perfect input device? No, but it is currently the best HTPC input device on the market. Period. If you have an HTPC in your living room and you're looking for a good keyboard, look no further than the Logitech diNovo Mini.

By caseyahenry - Apr 12, 2008

Good HTPC Keyboard

Strengths: Small, Cover protects it from accidental keystrokes, Bluetooth

Weakness: Could use remote charging dock and Universal remote control functions, its very pricey.

Great little keyboard, its small but if you can thumb-type blackberry style your fine. It "fits in" with your remote controls and doesn't require a lap full of space. I bought it to replace a belkin remote keyboard and despite the price it is great.

By garbadgecat - Jun 24, 2008

Wayyyyy tooooooo smalllllllllll

Strengths: When it works it's great.

Weakness: Tiny keys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Poor functionality - Logitech shouldn't have released this yet. Needs new drivers/software.

The basic functions of the mouse and keyboard works fine without a need to install the software, just plug and play. However, the advanced function required to install their software. There is no instruction came with the box or on the Logitech website. The installation took a long time for it to discover the bluetooth device, so it seems like it hang but don't worry, it will come back. After the...
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The basic functions of the mouse and keyboard works fine without a need to install the software, just plug and play. However, the advanced function required to install their software.

There is no instruction came with the box or on the Logitech website. The installation took a long time for it to discover the bluetooth device, so it seems like it hang but don't worry, it will come back. After the initial installation of the CD came with the package, it will download the upgrade from Logitech. If you let the installation completed without interruption the process, you would be fine.

By Anonymous - Apr 28, 2008

Not on Par with other Logitech Products

Strengths: Size, lit keyboard, strength of battery, attractive design

Weakness: mouse track pad is totally uncontrollable

Very disappointed with the performance of the mouse. Also should have extra "learned" buttons for control of basic functions; i.e., volume, mute, FForward, Rewind and Stop.

By anonymous; - Mar 29, 2010