Logitech diNovo Mini

[One Love 1867]

Hey all, just a quick question really about the Logitech diNovo Mini Keyboard and Trackpad. I'm going to be purchasing a Mac Mini to use as a HTPC on Friday, but having seen alot of people are using the Logitech diNovo Mini i'm now in two minds as to what to do.

I had previously had my eyes on using the standard Mac wireless keyboard and Mouse combo, as i think they look fantastic and i'm a complete sucker for Apple's product design. As daft as it sounds, the slick appearence of these has always struck me as part of the overall Mac experience. However, to buy these it's going to cost me £96 anyway, plus i'll need to buy a side table for the mouse (got no problem with keyboard being on my lap) which adds extra cost, AND i've heard mixed views about the wireless mighty mouse..

The Logitech mini doesn't give me the sleek Apple design, but it does still look nice and from a HTPC point of view is certainly more versatile. How practical is it to use on a daily basis for typing though? I'm not going to be writing War & Peace anytime soon, but it would be nice to know if i'm ever going to feel limited by how much i can type because of the Logitech's design. Is it suitable for writing posts of this sort of length on forums, for example?

Just looking for feedback really and any tips or advice from the community, many of whom already seem to have the diNovo

Thanks in advance!

 

[srexy]

Hey all, just a quick question really about the Logitech diNovo Mini Keyboard and Trackpad. I'm going to be purchasing a Mac Mini to use as a HTPC on Friday, but having seen alot of people are using the Logitech diNovo Mini i'm now in two minds as to what to do.

I had previously had my eyes on using the standard Mac wireless keyboard and Mouse combo, as i think they look fantastic and i'm a complete sucker for Apple's product design. As daft as it sounds, the slick appearence of these has always struck me as part of the overall Mac experience. However, to buy these it's going to cost me £96 anyway, plus i'll need to buy a side table for the mouse (got no problem with keyboard being on my lap) which adds extra cost, AND i've heard mixed views about the wireless mighty mouse..

The Logitech mini doesn't give me the sleek Apple design, but it does still look nice and from a HTPC point of view is certainly more versatile. How practical is it to use on a daily basis for typing though? I'm not going to be writing War & Peace anytime soon, but it would be nice to know if i'm ever going to feel limited by how much i can type because of the Logitech's design. Is it suitable for writing posts of this sort of length on forums, for example?

Just looking for feedback really and any tips or advice from the community, many of whom already seem to have the diNovo

Thanks in advance!

I've just been wrangling with this question recently as my Mac Mini arrived last week and I've been revelling in the glory of my new HTPC.

I already have 2 Mighty Mice an old school white BT keyboard and the new BT aluminium keyboard in the house. I really don't feel inclined to pony up for yet another BT device with all of these already here. So for my initial setup I turned off the BT in my MBP took the alu keyboad and mighty mouse downstairs and geeked out in front of the mighty Plex.

Unfortunately work has interrupted my geekdom and I've had to take the alu keyboard and Mighty Mouse back upstairs to my office. Up until today I've been using a combination of chicken of the VNC from my MBP (still on Tiger) and my Harmony Universal remote. I have to confess that this combo wasn't really doing it for me.

Today I downloaded Touchpad Elite for my iPhone and I think that I may have found my solution. For the limited amount of surfing I'm going to do - the touchpad app is probably more than adequate and for my HTPC needs the Harmony is probably more than adequate also. In any case, at 99 cents vs 99 dollars - I'm prepared to live with it for a few days to try it out.

In a nutshell, VNC, Universal remote and Touchpad Elite are my current choices.

(OH - and as an added bonus I can play endless games w/the wife and kids when they're on their iMac )

 

[mpshay]

if you like plex, take a look at the Snatch app. The app was $5.99 but I was able to download free skins for plex and Frontrow. I'm really happy with the way it works

 

[Chris Rogers]

The Dinovo Mini isn't officially supported on Macs (but it does work) which led me to the Dinovo edge keyboard Mac Edition. It is essentially the same keyboard, just smaller.

So for my setup I have a Harmony remote and the Dinovo Edge Mac Edition.

 

[gcmexico]

I have the diNovo mini...works like charm, have to get use to it...but it's SWEET!!

 

[rgarjr]

speaking of keyboards, would be nice if the ATV had bluetooth so you can use the wireless keyboard instead of that small remote.

 

[kadeschs]

speaking of keyboards, would be nice if the ATV had bluetooth so you can use the wireless keyboard instead of that small remote.

Can't you just use a Bluetooth USB dongle? Isn't that what the Dinovo Mini does? Not sure if you would need to install any additional drivers on the ATV. Seems like it should work.

 

[GoCubsGo]

The Dinovo Mini isn't officially supported on Macs (but it does work) which led me to the Dinovo edge keyboard Mac Edition. It is essentially the same keyboard, just smaller.

So for my setup I have a Harmony remote and the Dinovo Edge Mac Edition.

Your post reads that the diNovo Edge is like the diNovo Mini but smaller. You mean the diNovo Mini is smaller right?
Also, the diNovo Mini is not made for Mac but works, do you know if it works 100% or is it crippled somehow?

I have the diNovo mini...works like charm, have to get use to it...but it's SWEET!!

Works like a charm out of the box with all features? I ask because at $150 it should but the poster above (quoted) leads me to believe not everything works well.

Can't you just use a Bluetooth USB dongle? Isn't that what the Dinovo Mini does? Not sure if you would need to install any additional drivers on the ATV. Seems like it should work.

The ATV is so limited (out of the box) on what it needs/uses that the free iPod Touch/iPhone remote is fine for the very limited times you need a keyboard.

Rowmote Pro has a keyboard/trackpad/directional buttons that works great but I am seriously considering the diNovo Mini for my Mini as the keyboard on the lap sucks when you want to lay down. Yes ... lounging while typing. It works with Rowmote but the battery on the iPhone blows and tends to die fast.

 

[Chris Rogers]

Whoops, you're right. Check out Youtube to see it in action on a Mac. It isn't 100% no Command button for example.

Amazon has it for $115

Your post reads that the diNovo Edge is like the diNovo Mini but smaller. You mean the diNovo Mini is smaller right?
Also, the diNovo Mini is not made for Mac but works, do you know if it works 100% or is it crippled somehow?


Works like a charm out of the box with all features? I ask because at $150 it should but the poster above (quoted) leads me to believe not everything works well.

The ATV is so limited (out of the box) on what it needs/uses that the free iPod Touch/iPhone remote is fine for the very limited times you need a keyboard.

Rowmote Pro has a keyboard/trackpad/directional buttons that works great but I am seriously considering the diNovo Mini for my Mini as the keyboard on the lap sucks when you want to lay down. Yes ... lounging while typing. It works with Rowmote but the battery on the iPhone blows and tends to die fast.

 

[GoCubsGo]

I hope I'm not hijacking the thread here but something like Rowmote for the iPhone is nice because it actually has a trackpad. The diNovo Mini has a trackpad of sorts but it looks more like a d-pad that you'd see on something like a laptop (think of those eraser-size mouse pointer type deals) that may be hard to control. I assume with the diNovo Mini you use a thumb, but on the diNovo edge you'd probably be more comfortable using your fingers. Is the so-called trackpad on the diNovo Mini or even the Edge more of a d-pad than a track pad? (ie: does it react like a button you must apply pressure to or does it respond to the touch of a finger?)

And thanks for the tip/link. I'll check it out later on.

 

[srexy]

I hope I'm not hijacking the thread here but something like Rowmote for the iPhone is nice because it actually has a trackpad. The diNovo Mini has a trackpad of sorts but it looks more like a d-pad that you'd see on something like a laptop (think of those eraser-size mouse pointer type deals) that may be hard to control. I assume with the diNovo Mini you use a thumb, but on the diNovo edge you'd probably be more comfortable using your fingers. Is the so-called trackpad on the diNovo Mini or even the Edge more of a d-pad than a track pad? (ie: does it react like a button you must apply pressure to or does it respond to the touch of a finger?)

And thanks for the tip/link. I'll check it out later on.

Touchpad Elite has this feature also - you can use the whole screen as a touchpad or toggle between function keys, 3 pages of common remote control keys (up, down, esc, back etc.) or a keyboard in portrait or landscape mode. It's really very slick for .99c

(no affiliation btw - just a happy loafer!)

 

[kadeschs]

The ATV is so limited (out of the box) on what it needs/uses that the free iPod Touch/iPhone remote is fine for the very limited times you need a keyboard.

Yep, that's what I'm currently using most of the time. I do have a wireless keyboard and mouse for when I use Firefox, but distance is very limited. Would be nice to find something with Bluetooth for greater distance.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Yep, that's what I'm currently using most of the time. I do have a wireless keyboard and mouse for when I use Firefox, but distance is very limited. Would be nice to find something with Bluetooth for greater distance.

You're not using firefox on your ATV. I'll put money on that. That was my point. iPhone/iPod touch remote (free) for ATV, Rowmote or similar apps (paid) for Boxee, Plex, etc etc.

Touchpad Elite has this feature also - you can use the whole screen as a touchpad or toggle between function keys, 3 pages of common remote control keys (up, down, esc, back etc.) or a keyboard in portrait or landscape mode. It's really very slick for .99c

(no affiliation btw - just a happy loafer!)

Hrm 99 cents? I paid $4.99. I'm going to download that and see if Rowmote just because a row-ripoff.

 

[kadeschs]

You're not using firefox on your ATV. I'll put money on that. That was my point. iPhone/iPod touch remote (free) for ATV, Rowmote or similar apps (paid) for Boxee, Plex, etc etc.

What do you mean I'm not using Firefox? I downloaded the MACOSX version from the Mozilla site and personally installed it myself. I just recently got Flash player and Microsoft Silverlight working in it as well, and I love it. The kids love Google Earth on it as well.

I thought touch remote really only worked with the iTunes library. I don't recall it manipulating the Frontrow menu very well. I could be wrong. Rowmote, for sure, works beautifully with everything including Boxee. It's just like the hand-held remote Apple provides with the ATV. Typing with it kinda sucks though. An actual keyboard/mouse is much easier when browsing the Internet on ATV.

 

[GoCubsGo]

What do you mean I'm not using Firefox? I downloaded the MACOSX version from the Mozilla site and personally installed it myself. I just recently got Flash player working in it as well, and I love it.

I thought touch remote really only worked with the iTunes library. I don't recall it working with Frontrow menu. I could be wrong. Rowmote, for sure, works beautifully with everything including Boxee. Typing with it kinda sucks though. An actual keyboard is much easier when browsing the Internet on ATV.

Because I said .... and you responded with ... (I was talking about the ATV, you chimed in with Firefox and I venture to guess you're not using Firefox on your ATV out of the box).

The ATV is so limited (out of the box) on what it needs/uses that the free iPod Touch/iPhone remote is fine for the very limited times you need a keyboard.

Yep, that's what I'm currently using most of the time. I do have a wireless keyboard and mouse for when I use Firefox, but distance is very limited. Would be nice to find something with Bluetooth for greater distance.

 

[kadeschs]

Because I said .... and you responded with ... (I was talking about the ATV, you chimed in with Firefox and I venture to guess you're not using Firefox on your ATV out of the box).

Depends on where you buy your ATV from. Ha! But yes, point taken. Those features aren't available from Apple.

 

[QCassidy352]

The Dinovo Mini isn't officially supported on Macs (but it does work) which led me to the Dinovo edge keyboard Mac Edition. It is essentially the same keyboard, just smaller.

So for my setup I have a Harmony remote and the Dinovo Edge Mac Edition.

I use a dinovo edge mac edition with my mac mini media center too. It's fantastic and can be had for $106 from amazon. For a remote, I just use the provided eyeTV remote. My setup is simple tho - just the mini and the TV, no other dvr, no blu ray player, etc.

I hope I'm not hijacking the thread here but something like Rowmote for the iPhone is nice because it actually has a trackpad. The diNovo Mini has a trackpad of sorts but it looks more like a d-pad that you'd see on something like a laptop (think of those eraser-size mouse pointer type deals) that may be hard to control. I assume with the diNovo Mini you use a thumb, but on the diNovo edge you'd probably be more comfortable using your fingers. Is the so-called trackpad on the diNovo Mini or even the Edge more of a d-pad than a track pad? (ie: does it react like a button you must apply pressure to or does it respond to the touch of a finger?)

I don't think rowmote works like that. It's just a remote control for various applications. What you're describing sounds more like air mouse, which does in fact turn the iphone (or touch) in to a pretty effective trackpad.

The trackpad on the dinovo edge mac edition can be left-clicked with a tap or by using a button.