Logitech DiNovo Media Desktop

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CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars Excellent
Detailed editors' rating

Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 56 reviews
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Product summary

CNET Editors' ChoiceNov 03

The good: Bluetooth enabled; easy setup; excellent keyboard and mouse; innovative MediaPad; stylish.

The bad The bad: Extremely expensive; MediaPad is a bit awkward to hold and use.

The bottom line: The DiNovo Media Desktop is the ultimate desktop set for media fanatics, but its sky-high price tag is hard to swallow.

Specifications: Form factor: External; Compatibility: PC; Battery size: AA type; See full specs

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: Adam Fisher
Reviewed on: 11/06/2003
Released on: 10/15/2003

Hold no illusions: Logitech's new Bluetooth-enabled DiNovo Media Desktop--a suite of high-end input devices--runs a jaw-dropping $250. But if you want the all-around finest and most elegant desktop experience, it's the clear choice. If you're simply looking for a good mouse-and-keyboard set, search for less-expensive alternatives.

Although comprised of three separate devices--the keyboard, the MX900 mouse, and the so-called MediaPad (basically a remote control on steroids)--the DiNovo Media Desktop is nevertheless a cinch to set up (other Bluetooth-enabled input devices gave us serious installation headaches). We followed the explicit installation poster and had the Media Desktop running in about half an hour, including a full 15 minutes dedicated to the Bluetooth and Media Desktop software installation. One word of caution: Logitech strongly recommends that you remove any previously installed Microsoft Bluetooth components to get the DiNovo's full Bluetooth-hub functionality.

Connecting Bluetooth devices such as cell phones to the DiNovo's Bluetooth network so that you can, say, use the keyboard to reply directly to a text message is a bit cumbersome and unintuitive, but the process is still better than any we've seen to date. In the dawn of Bluetooth, the DiNovo represents one of the technology's best implementations.

The DiNovo devices are certainly conversation pieces, thanks to their stylishly thin and sleek design. The keyboard and the MediaPad are relatively shallow, but typing felt excellent in our tests; we even found that we typed a bit faster and more precisely than usual. The keyboard eschews the programmable buttons of Logitech's other boards for a refined look, but it does have Internet and e-mail hot keys, as well as audio-playback controls.

Meanwhile, the innovative MediaPad, which unfortunately can't attach to the keyboard, serves as a numeric keypad, a calculator, and a remote control for audio, video, and photo playback on your PC. (Logitech also provides some rudimentary software for accessing your various media from afar.) Unfortunately the pad doesn't fit comfortably in your hand and navigation is a bit frustrating. Besides showcasing the date and time, the MediaPad's built-in LCD can display track information and text messages from Bluetooth phones and MSN Messenger.

The MX900 mouse is simply a souped-up version of Logitech's award-winning MX700. It feels great in your hand, is extremely precise, and has the five buttons we look for, plus three extras for scrolling and switching windows. The Bluetooth hub also serves as the mouse recharger.

See more CNET content tagged:: Logitech,; Bluetooth,; keyboard,; mouse

User reviews

Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 56 reviews
My rating: 0 stars Write review

Showing 5 of 56 user reviewsSee all 56 user reviews
0.5 stars

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

"Looks great but you will eventually grow to hate it"

by 314156 on July 11, 2005

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2.5 stars

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

"looks like a high end sports car drives like a junker"

by tony yayo on April 15, 2005

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2.0 stars

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

"Not for Gamers!"

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1.5 stars

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

"Depends on what you're looking for"

by YesBut on February 11, 2007

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5.0 stars

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

"MEDIA JUNKIES JUST BUY THIS THING"

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Logitech DiNovo Media Desktop

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Reviews from around the Web

itp.net

Editors' rating: 80

Summary: Although this particular Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse combination is pricey, the diNovo Media Desktop is a high quality piece of kit, backed up by a long five year warranty.

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thetechzone.com

Editors' rating: 80

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goodgearguide.com.au

Editors' rating: 60

Summary: The diNovo Media Desktop Laser is one of the most feature packed keyboard and mouse packages on the market, but it's not worth the asking price. If you want the best of the best, it is worth a look, but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives.

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