Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser

Logitech's latest solution to your PC's peripheral needs is a package of wireless, Bluetooth input devices. The diNovo Media Desktop Laser consists of an ultra-flat keyboard, an MX900 mouse and a MediaPad, which acts a numeric keypad and a media control device, but its high price is a turn off.

The diNovo keyboard uses a stylish design with slim, recessed keys and has a sophisticated, yet minimalist feel to it. After typing on it for a number of weeks, we were very impressed. The lowered keys mean the pressure required to type is greatly reduced, speeding up the typing process, and we found after continued daily usage that typing was more efficient and more comfortable. The rubber wrist pad at the bottom of the diNovo is also very comfortable, further improving the overall experience.

Both the diNovo keyboard and the MediaPad are relatively shallow, but they keyboard can be propped up by flip out supports on the bottom. The MediaPad doesn't have supports, so it doesn't sit at the same height as the keyboard does. However, as it's been designed to be used remotely, away from your PC, this isn't too much of an issue.

The keyboard includes plenty of media controls. There are Internet, e-mail and synchronise hotkeys, a sleep key, as well as volume, mute and media playback controls. The media playback controls also double on the MediaPad. One thing missing is a caps lock light, but a message is displayed on the PC's screen when this is toggled on and off. As it's unwired the keyboard runs on four AA batteries.

The diNovo MediaPad has a number of uses. It is a numeric keypad, a calculator, and a remote control for audio and video playback or photo viewing on the PC. Logitech includes its MediaLife software, which enables remote media access when at a distance from the computer. Although Logitech has designed the MediaPad for use as a remote, its rather large size means it won't fit in the palm of your hand, so it needs two hands to operate effectively.

The MediaPad also has a small LCD that displays the time and date, media track information, notifies of any new emails and reads messages from Bluetooth phones and MSN Messenger. Bluetooth messaging may sound like an impressive feature, but its implementation is less than successful. Connecting a mobile phone to the diNovo's Bluetooth network so you can receive messages on the LCD screen is both cumbersome and tricky, and really not worth the hassle.

The diNovo package includes an MX900 mouse. Like the keyboard, the mouse is comfortable to use with a good grip, although its large size may be an issue for those with smaller hands. Despite this, it's fairly accurate and has plenty of buttons, including back, forward, an application switcher (similar to using Alt-Tab on a keyboard), a four-way scroll wheel and cruise up/down buttons. The mouse also has three LED lights to notify users of battery level. Logitech includes a convenient desktop charger for the mouse.

Setup took a little longer than we expected and the software isn't the best. Logitech advises users remove any previously installed Bluetooth components before installing the diNovo. An advantage of the diNovo's Bluetooth receiver is that it acts as a Bluetooth hub when connected, allowing connection of multiple Bluetooth devices to your PC - such as mobile phones, printers and wireless headphones. All in all, setup and installation took about half an hour.