Initial Impressions
Keyboard
First, I LOVE the feel of the keyboard. That slim style definitely works for me! I think this is the smoothest typing keyboard I've ever used. I used to claim I liked keyboards that gave you that "feel" of each key clicking (which are few and far between anymore), but I have changed my mind. If you have "the right" smooth keyboard, that little click makes no difference. I can probably type faster on this keyboard than any I've ever used.
The keyboard runs on 4 AA batteries and in the year that I have had this keyboard, I have only replaced the batteries twice. So, I'd estimate about 4 months (give or take) usage from one set of batteries.
Fig. 3 diNovo™ Keyboard front view
Mouse
I really like the optical mouse. I'm not a big gamer, so I can't really say if its a great gaming mouse or not. It is the MX900 (using the MX™ Optical Engine) which according to the box have these specs:
- Image Processing: 4.7 Megapixels/Sec
- Resolution: 800dpi
- Accelration: 10g
- Speed: 40 inches/sec
Fig. 4 diNovo™ Mouse side view
The mouse has a solid feel to it. I've used it for gaming and liked it just fine, but as I said, I'm not a huge gamer, so can't conclusively say whether it is a great gaming mouse or not. The mouse has more buttons than I know what to do with, eight to be specific. But it is shaped in such a way that the extra buttons don't feel like they are in the way, so if I'm not using them, they aren't bothersome. It also has the familiar "Logitech Quick Switch Program Detector" which is a very efficient task switching mechanism.
Fig. 5 "Logitech Quick Switch Program Detector"
Media Pad
This is essentially the number pad on a normal keyboard, but this is not your normal keyboard. This number pad is separate from the keyboard and has media controls. What does that mean? That means it can be your remote control from across the room (my lazy gene is tingling with excitement). I have fallen into habit of watching videos occasionally in Windows Media Player and can use the media pad to start/stop/pause. I can also control the volume from it. A downside, though, is that it doesn't seem to be configurable (at least not easily) to work with other programs, so you are limited on the programs you can use to have the full media button capability (other than volume which works for general computer volume).
Another brilliant thing about having the media pad detached is that you can move it out and angle it in any way you like while playing a game. It really makes a big difference in gaming to move and/or angle the number pad and keyboard independently so that they fit your hands the way you like it when gaming. It is nothing short of brilliant in terms of input device design.
Fig. 6 diNovo™ Media Pad
Software
The software that helps you control it is seemingly well designed. It has a good user interface ad gives you all the basics you need in terms of device status and control capability. It puts battery icons in the tray when any device is running low on battery and always has the software icon available to bring up and configure devices at any time.
Fig. 7 diNovo™ Software Configurator
