Review: Logitech keyboard gives Mac users an Edge
Posted by Dennis Sellers 
Aug 20, 2008 at 12:03pm
Logitech’s new diNovo Edge, Mac Edition (US$159.99, is the wireless keyboard that Apple’s Chiclet sized Wireless Keyboard should have been. Logitech’s keyboard has the keys that Apple’s mini-version is missing—plus more. And it comes with a charging station so you don’t have to worry about constantly replacing batteries.
The diNovo Edge, Mac Edition is the newest addition to Logitech’s line of diNovo keyboards and the first diNovo keyboard specially designed for the Mac. The new Logitech keyboard connects directly to a Mac through Bluetooth wireless technology, providing a range of up to 30 feet.
It sports a piano-black finish and is half an inch think with a high-gloss, semi-translucent Plexiglas frame, sharp angles and soft-orange backlighting. In other words, it looks good with any Mac (though I wish it had an “aluminum” look rather than solid black). The diNovo Edge, Mac Edition features optimized Mac keys for one-touch access to Mail, Safari and iTunes, as well as many other Mac-specific applications (for example, there’s a Front Row button in the top-right corner).
The keyboard offers a power button for turning your Mac 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. You’ll have to install the Mac compatible Logitech Control Center software for some of the features.)
The diNovo Edge features the Logitech PerfectStroke key system, which is designed to create longer key travel—3.2 mm compared to 2.2 mm—than that of typical notebook keyboards. According to the folks at Logitech, this means that the distance your fingers have to travel to activate a key is optimized for your comfort. 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, they add.
I’ll take them at their word on this. But I can say that after using the keyboard for about a week, it’s very comfortable to use and the keys have a comfortable feel that’s just the right amount between too-hard and too-mushy. In other words, they’re crisp and responsive.
Unfortunately, the touch volume control isn’t quite as nice. You can control the volume by dragging your finger on a touch pad, but it wasn’t as effective as I’d hope. Long finger strokes only resulted in small volume changes, which meant you had to keep dragging your finger until you get the desired effect. On the other hand, the TouchDisc works just fine.
The included charging base eliminates the hassle of changing batteries, with a four-hour charge reportedly giving you up to one month of battery life (I can’t verify this yet). A 10-minute power charge provides one day of use. Also, you should note that the charging base is good, but it’ll take up additional desk space.
The diNovo Edge is a little pricey. But if you can afford it, it’s an attractive, fully featured keyboard with only a couple of glitches.
Macsimum rating: 8 out of 10
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geo Says:
“The keyboard offers a power button for turning your Mac on and off...”
How can you turn the computer on from a keyboard with a bluetooth connection?
Posted on August 20, 2008
Kevin Thomas Says:
It also does not include a number pad… Aargh!!
Posted on August 20, 2008
veggiedude Says:
I have the Apple wireless keyboard. I only have to change the battery like twice a year - it is very energy efficient. However, the mighty mouse is an entirely different animal and I have to change its battery about every 50 days. I will be looking into a better wireless mouse with a charging dock the next time.
Posted on August 20, 2008
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Contributor
Dennis Sellers
Dennis has been a newspaper editor/reporter (seven years) and teacher (seven years). He has over 4,000 magazine, newspaper and online articles to his credit. He has also covered the Mac and tech industries for over a decade for such online publications as MacCentral, MacMinute and now MacsimumNews.
Gerry Curry Says:
The only problem with this otherwise excellent product is that it is designed specifically for right-handed users, and Logitech has an absolutely abysmal record for producing versions of their high end products for those of us who are left-handed.
Posted on August 20, 2008