Logitech DiNovo Media Desktop review: Logitech DiNovo Media Desktop

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.