Logitech diNovo Mini review

More and more people are using a PC in the living room.

Media centre systems are great TV recorders that can also organise your music library, show your photos on your telly, play just about any video file you can lay your hands on, and of course surf the web. You can manage a lot of these tasks from your armchair using a remote control with Windows Media Center, but some - like entering Internet addresses, sending emails, or updating your Facebook profile - are tricky or impossible without reaching for the keyboard. That's where Logitech's new handheld controller comes in.

Avoiding the need for a wireless keyboard and mouse stashed under your sofa, the diNovo mini combines the two in one palm-sized unit, with a transparent lid to protect against dust and spillages. Opening this activates a backlight, so you can use it in the dark. Holding it in your palms, you use your thumbs to type on the small keyboard. The keys click when pushed, giving reasonable feedback. You wouldn't want to type documents on it, but it's great for chat messages and search parameters. There are dedicated media playback shortcuts, and a Media Center button, but no buttons for common Media Center tasks like opening the electronic programme guide (EPG).

Beside the keyboard is a small round touchpad. It's a little too sensitive, so you might need to lower your PC's mouse sensitivity setting. There's no right-click button; you have to hold down the Function key and press OK. Flick a switch and the touchpad turns into a four-way joypad, which you can use to navigate Windows Media Center.

The diNovo Mini connects using Bluetooth 2.0, with a USB receiver supplied. So you could even control a home server hidden in a cupboard. You can also use the diNovo with a PlayStation 3. Logitech reckons the included Li-ion battery will last around a month between charges.

Though flawed and not cheap, the diNovo Mini is a genuinely useful bit of kit if you regularly want full control of your PC from a distance.

Author: Seth Barton