Logitech diNovo Mini
(Credit: Logitech)
Strengths: integrated cursor, keyboard, and media center controls; living room-friendly clamshell design; excellent battery life; PS3 compatibility
Weaknesses: frustrating touchpad control; dirt and fingerprint magnet; no Xbox 360 or Wii compatibility
The idea of a personal computer as the center of a home theater system has been around for quite some time (anyone remember Gateway 2000's gargantuan Destination line of PCs from 1996?). Although systems with Windows' built-in Media Center software have been around for several years now, it's only recently that the home theater PC (HTPC) has begun to increase in popularity with the advent sleek and slim hardware that is designed to comfortably fit into the A/V rack under your HDTV.
When we recently purchased our family's first HTPC, an HP Slimline model with a built-in ATSC tuner and Blu-Ray/HD-DVD combo drive, 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. Keyboard & mouse combo sets didn't make a great deal of sense, as the arm of a chair or sofa isn't the ideal location for a mouse pad. Of course, there was the option of a gyroscopic mouse, but those devices tend to be notoriously expensive and tiring to use for extended periods of time. I was able to find 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'd 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: measuring 6 inches long, 3.5 inches wide, and 1 inch thick, the device is roughly the size of a really thin video game controller. Indeed, an Xbox 360 controller is both wider and considerably thicker than the Mini. 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 and is designed to be used for two-thumb typing, much like a BlackBerry. The device is comfortably held in both hands, and typing isn't too slow after spending some time getting used to it. The Mini's 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. Of course, there isn't a number pad on the Mini either, but how many people are going to be editing Excel spreadsheets on an HTPC?
For cursor control, the Mini includes a touchpad that is designed to be operated with the thumb of your right hand, which Logitech terms the ClickPad. It also includes a mode switch which enables the touchpad to function as a directional pad, allowing easy navigation when browsing Windows' Media Center software. The touchpad works, but it takes some patience to use and to master. Moving the cursor across the desktop is fairly easy, but precise control is difficult. Clicking on an icon in Windows' quick launch bar can be a frustrating experience, not to mention attempting to use the cursor to select a line of text. Likewise, the ClickPad can also behave erratically when operating in its directional pad mode. During testing, I found that the it would sometimes fail to respond to repeated downward presses. Granted, the diNovo Mini and its ClickPad 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 (the Mini can also be used with other Bluetooth hubs or PCs with built-in Bluetooth radios, but I did not test this feature). 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 after following the troubleshooting suggestions in the manual and resetting the Mini (by removing and reinserting the battery) it has provided weeks of trouble-free operation.
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 use the Mini on a daily basis, and it operates for up to six weeks before requiring a recharge.
As an added feature, the diNovo Mini is compatible with Sony's PlayStation 3 console, which makes the device all the more versatile. 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. Unfortunately, the Mini is not compatible with Microsoft's Xbox 360 console or Nintendo's Wii (which isn't surprising, as the these consoles don't include Bluetooth), but the cross-platform compatibility would have been a nice feature to have.
Aside from sometimes frustrating touchpad control and the lack of console support outside of the PS3, my only other complaint with the Mini 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.
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