Logitech recently updated its Media Center peripheral series and introduced the “diNovo Edge” a keyboard with an integrated trackpad. The company has gone on record to say that it is the world’s best keyboard… Does it live up to this lofty claim? Read on to find out.
On the left side of the keyboard one finds a series of function related keys such as document zoom, cursor management and a sleep key. The right side of the keyboard is where things get innovative. In an interesting move, Logitech has decided to put a full featured touchpad on the keyboard. This "Touch disc" (which is what Logitech calls it) is a circular touchpad with two click buttons below it. This is a move derived from laptop keyboards and has been included as a space saving measure as one does not need an external mouse for the Media Center. Just above the included mouse, there is another touchpad present which serves as a volume bar.
Another interesting fact we observed here, is that unlike the normal practice of backlighting the function keys, Logitech has built indicators next to each of the keys. When a particular function key is used, the indicator lights in a soft orange shade. This is actually a good move, as the orange shade contrasts well with the piano black finish and is subdued enough not to look garish.
Keeping in mind that the keyboard is designed for use with a Media Center PC, Logitech has left out a numeric keypad.In our opinion, this was a bad move. as a lot of media players pack in a lot of functionality for the numeric keypad. Apart from that, the numeric keypad serves another purpose as with certain programs, it is possible to set key combos for quick launching various applications in a Media Center environment. For overcoming this handicap Logitech has instead built in a FN key. which is positioned between the right ALT and CTRL Keys and when used with the provided Setpoint software provides the same application quick launch functionality that we have mentioned before.



