Use the Force. If that doesn’t work, there’s always Bluetooth.

As laptops eclipse desktops as “daily drivers,” and computers make their way into the living room as media centers, a wireless keyboard starts to make a lot of sense. Logitech’s diNovo Edge is a wireless Bluetooth keyboard, now available with Mac goodness baked in. And it comes with a full complement of function keys and Mac-centric media controls—which can be customized via a preference pane.

The right side of the keyboard (sorry lefties!) is dedicated to a small touchpad and a cool touch-sensitive volume slider. As Mac users, we’re well accustomed to having to make do with third-party keyboards built for Windows, but the diNovo Edge, Mac Edition, features all the Mac-specific keys you deserve. And they’re in the right places too—no more ass-backward Command and Option keys.

Even better, the diNovo is rechargeable and comes with a convenient vertical charging cradle—although we’d have loved an option to charge via USB, to free up both work-surface real estate and an AC outlet. About 5 to 10 minutes of charging time gives you enough juice to last through the workday, and a full two-hour charge keeps the keyboard going for up to a month.

Key action feels closer to that of the old MacBook Pro keyboards and features similar concave keys. If you’re not a fan of Apple’s recent chiclet-style keyboards, the diNovo might offer a good alternative. The keyboard held up to rigorous daily use—we type for a living, after all—although given the keyboard’s footprint, we were occasionally frustrated by the size of the actual keys. While the standard keys aren’t miniature, they’re noticeably smaller than the keys on other desktop keyboards—with very little space between them. At first, the diNovo felt a bit cramped, but we were able to get used to the proportions quickly. Unfortunately, the bottom row of keys is shrunken even more—key-command junkies will be frustrated by the tiny modifier keys (Control, Option, and Command). Even after extended use, we still found ourselves frequently missing the Command key.

The diNovo is probably best relied on as a secondary keyboard for a laptop or to control a Mac serving as a media center. The touchpad features scrolling gestures, but the touchpad and its buttons are just too cramped for most general computing tasks. 

A rechargeable battery, Mac-specific keys, and an integrated touchpad give the diNovo an edge, but it’s a bit cramped for career typists to use every day

COMPANY: Logitech
CONTACT: www.logitech.com
PRICE: $159.99
REQUIREMENTS: Mac OS 10.4 or later, Bluetooth-enabled Mac
Bluetooth connectivity. Rechargeable battery. Mac-specific keys. Integrated touchpad and media controls.
Touchpad and buttons feel cramped. Small modifier keys (Command, Option, and Control) can stifle serious keyboard masters.