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Print 52 comment(s) - last by Sulphademus.. on Sep 3 at 8:25 AM

Logitech Illuminated Keyboard  (Source: Logitech)

Logitech diNovo for Notebooks  (Source: Logitech)
Backlit keys make typing in the dark easy

One thing that you commonly find on gaming keyboards at the high-end of the price range is backlit keys. At the same time, you don’t often see backlit keys on keyboards not meant for gaming. Logitech has announced its first backlit keyboard that is aimed at general computer users.

The keyboard is called the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard and it features bright backlighting behind every one of the laser-etched keys for visibility in dark environments. The keyboard has a very thin profile of 9.3mm offering a very flat keyboard that looks good on the desk.

Logitech uses its PerfectStroke key system with precision micro-scissors behind each key for improved travel and typing feel. The palm rest area has soft-touch material covering it and the keys on the keyboard are full size. One-touch multimedia keys are included for volume, music, and video as well as one-touch access to applications like email and web browser.

The keyboard measures in at 18.03-inches x 7.56-inches x 0.37-inches (L x W x H) and weighs 2.2 pounds. It is compatible with Windows Vista or XP and will be available in September for $79.99.

Logitech also announced a new version of its thin diNovo series keyboards specifically for the notebook. The keyboard is called the diNovo Keyboard for Notebooks and looks similar to the diNovo Edge. The wrist rest area has brushed aluminum and the rest of the keyboard is a glossy black.

It uses the same PerfectStroke key system as the Illuminated keyboard. Three AAA batteries power the diNovo keyboard and Logitech says that the batteries are good for up to 3 years. The keyboard uses 2.4GHz wireless technology to connect to the notebook.

Despite the small keyboard dimensions of 17.01-inches x 6.81-inches x 0.87- inches (L x W x H), the keyboard still packs in a full number pad. The weight for the keyboard is 1.98 pounds. Logitech will also be making a line of controllers for “Guitar Hero World Tour”.

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By psychobriggsy on 9/2/2008 11:41:02 AM , Rating: 4
I hava a desklamp. It illuminates my keyboard and mouse nicely, also any other material I have nearby that I want to read. It also prevents eye strain when using a computer in a dark room.

Maybe if you have a computer in your photography dark room because you refuse to use a digital camera.




By nosfe on 9/2/2008 11:43:08 AM , Rating: 3
i have a monitor and it illuminates my keyboard and mouse nicely though i never look at them when i'm using them so its a moot point anyway, but at least its free


By nosfe on 9/2/2008 12:19:49 PM , Rating: 2
what are you talking about? why should i look at the keyboard if i can write just fine without doing that? also, i didn't know that all touch typists use 60hz monitors and stare at the monitor from up close, is that what they do in your area?


By omnicronx on 9/2/2008 12:54:41 PM , Rating: 2
It was a joke.. I am sorry if you took offense, I was not trying to make fun of you in particular ;). I was just merely pointing out that this product will merely allow you to see in the dark, when you in reality, you should not be watching any monitor, or TV screen in the dark if you value your eyes ;)

p.s Just a simple walk around the office and I can see that half the people still using CRT monitors have them set to 60hz. It just makes me wonder how many people are going to need glasses 20 years down the line because of it.


By Jimbo1234 on 9/2/2008 3:12:08 PM , Rating: 2
If they're at least 23 years old, then all of them is the answer. No matter what you do, on average by age 43 your lenses stop functioning. So you will either need reading glasses if you have good vision now, or if you are nearsighted (as many people tend to be) you will need bifocols (sp?).

Just ask your eye doc. I did, and got my LASIK at the ideal time (late 20's) when my myopia stopped progressing and actually regressed a little. Last time I checked (about a month ago) I was still 20/15. But when I get to my 40's I'll need to cary a set of reading glasses most likely.


By pwnsweet on 9/3/2008 3:10:35 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
If they're at least 23 years old, then all of them is the answer. No matter what you do, on average by age 43 your lenses stop functioning


"All of them" is not true. The average age may indeed be 43 (no citation required), but I know a 72yr old that can read font size 8 text without glasses. The secret to his lasting eyesight is, according to him, diet.

This man is the healthiest man I know. He worked as a clinical nutritionist most of his life and is an avid reader of books such as Chemistry of Man (I've seen his bookshelf...it's full of similar books both in English and in Yugoslavian - his native language). I wouldn't be too surprised if he dies before his eyesight starts blurring.


By Visual on 9/3/2008 4:26:36 AM , Rating: 2
Surely you mean Serbian.


By Kefner on 9/3/2008 1:44:13 AM , Rating: 2
If I cross my eyes for too long, will they stay that way?


By theapparition on 9/2/2008 12:41:01 PM , Rating: 2
I have the gaming version of this keyboard, and love it. For the record, I'm by no means a gamer, since I do more professional work with it, and can't tell you how many times it's come in handy with the backlight. Yes, sometimes I am up late and on the computer in the dark.

Don't understand why anyone has aversion to this. It's a great feature. Additionally, the keyboard I have is put together and has much better feel than most others I've used. Far better than any of the MS keyboard offerings that I've tried. Plus, I like the key layout.

Definately worth the measly $60 I paid for it.


OMG so close to perfect! WHYYYY
By jay401 on 9/2/2008 1:07:47 PM , Rating: 5
Dammit, it is SO close to perfect but they had to go and eff up the Insert and Delete keys. ARGH WHYYY. You know how hard it is to find a keyboard where they don't screw up either the "\" key below the Backspace key, or the Backspace key isn't full-size, or the arrow keys aren't arranged properly, or the Insert Home PageUp
Delete End PageDown keys aren't arranged properly.

It's always something. What the hell went wrong with keyboards a few years ago that now it's almost impossible to find a proper one. >:(

This one is close, they just decided to screw up the Insert and Delete keys. Dammit.




RE: OMG so close to perfect! WHYYYY
By jay401 on 9/2/2008 1:19:34 PM , Rating: 2
Oh nevermind, now that I look at the pics on Logitech's site, they've also removed the Function key row from the top. Idiots.


By Spivonious on 9/2/2008 2:29:14 PM , Rating: 2
Am I missing something or did the Insert key disappear?

The function keys are still there, they're just listed on the front of the top row of keys.

I totally agree though; why can't they just stick to the standard layout? I use that cluster above the arrow keys daily.


By RockinZ28 on 9/2/2008 4:14:01 PM , Rating: 2
I'm completely with you on this one. The extended R Ctrl button would've been nice too, sometimes I hit that start menu key that's right next to it and it minimizes games while I'm playing. Play a lot of dark games so lit keys would be great with how many damn keys you need to bind in games these days that I'm not use to using.


By theapparition on 9/3/2008 8:16:25 AM , Rating: 2
I'm right with you........fortunately, the gaming version of this keyboard doesn't eff the keys up. Plus it's lighted. Best keyboard I've owned so far.


Nice, but...
By solah13 on 9/2/2008 12:07:32 PM , Rating: 2
Even at twice the price, I prefer my Deck keyboard. It's nice that some other companies are putting individual lights under the keys rather than the nightmarish glow under everything, but Deck provides you with a choice on backlight color.

And in the event of an intruder, I can always go "Gattaca" with the Deck since it's nearly twice the weight of this Logitech.




RE: Nice, but...
By darklight0tr on 9/2/2008 5:26:06 PM , Rating: 2
Another Deck user! It was ridiculously priced, but worth every penny. I didn't buy it for the backlit keyboard, but for the awesome tactile feedback.

Plus, the Deck has a traditional layout, which I prefer.


As Usual
By Totally on 9/2/2008 12:57:14 PM , Rating: 2
This is announced after I bought, Microsoft's keyboard.

If they'd make the palm rest removable, sold.




RE: As Usual
By Omega215D on 9/2/2008 6:11:21 PM , Rating: 2
It looks really tasteful with the white lighting like the MacBook Pro... at least the pics make it out to be white.


Laser-etched keys..
By phazers on 9/2/2008 1:15:04 PM , Rating: 2
I bought the original Saitek Eclipse backlighted keyboard when it came out. Unfortunately the laser etching was on the paint layer that made the keys otherwise opaque. Over time this paint layer wore off, leaving a nicely backlit blob where the alphanumeric symbol used to be. Useless unless you pick your nose and want to spot where the boogers wound up :).

The new Eclipse II keyboard features permanent keys as well as tricolor and variable intensity backlighting - much better IMHO. Hopefully Logitech will not make the same mistake as the original Eclipse keyboard.




RE: Laser-etched keys..
By Omega215D on 9/2/2008 6:07:56 PM , Rating: 2
The original G15 had the key fading problem too but Logitech improved it in their revisions.

I do like the Saitek Cyborg with its many lighting features and key feel but I cannot justify $80 on a keyboard. I just snagged myself a $50 Razer Lycosa with its rubber coated blue backlit keys. It feels so good to type and game on it. I tend to game in the darkness and when I type reports I like a dimly lit room for relaxation so the backlighting is a must for me.


Not happy
By Misty Dingos on 9/2/2008 12:22:06 PM , Rating: 2
They need to bend the thing to make it comfortable to use. Ergonomics Logitech! OK let me have it for being one of the three people that read/responde Dailytech that use an ergonomic keyboard.




'bout time
By lifeblood on 9/2/2008 12:44:08 PM , Rating: 2
The Community College where I taught night classes got a planetarium along with a new Science Building. We had to use a backlit gaming keyboard on the PC that ran the planetarium so the operator could see the keys when the lights went out.

Maybe it's me but I wanted a backlit keyboard when I was using a CRT. Now that I have an LCD I don't seem to have that problem anymore.




not another thin one :(
By Silver2k7 on 9/2/2008 1:00:12 PM , Rating: 2
so this is another like the dinovo one ??

the key stroke length is much type friendlier on the G15 keyboard...




Stupid skinny keyboards..
By phaxmohdem on 9/2/2008 8:00:21 PM , Rating: 2
I bought a Logitech DiNovo keyboard (First series) for my main rig cause it looked sexy as hell, and for the first few months, it was awesome. But I've found that the short stroke on the keys, coupled with a typing style that would surely earn me lashings from Mavis Beacon have actually created a stress injury in my right hand.

I think it has mostly to do with the fact that I do lots of scripting and programming and am constantly abusing the shift, brackets, and slashes with my right-hand fingers, but a standard full stroke keyboard does wonders to correct the pain for whatever reason.




By ggordonliddy on 9/2/2008 9:35:57 PM , Rating: 2
They completely screwed up the key placement (mainly the Insert/Home/Delete/End/Page Up/Down block). You have to be pretty dense to think that's an improvement. And you'd be worse than Hitler.




Corded
By hlper on 9/2/08, Rating: -1
RE: Corded
By Fronzbot on 9/2/2008 11:32:10 AM , Rating: 5
Yes, because a quarter of an inch thick cord running across your desk really causes SO much clutter. . .


RE: Corded
By Totally on 9/2/2008 12:51:34 PM , Rating: 2
Well lets see 3 cables for the speakers, plus one more for speaker the remote, the usb hub, sync cable for phone, sync cable for mp3, the mouse, oh, and the keyboard. But one less wire in this situation wouldn't help with the clutter either,


RE: Corded
By Polynikes on 9/2/2008 1:34:32 PM , Rating: 5
I'd rather keep the cord and save money on AA batteries. I imagine the backlight feature would lower the batteries' lifetime considerably.


RE: Corded
By Spivonious on 9/2/2008 11:48:50 AM , Rating: 4
Don't you have a keyboard tray? My cord is visible for about 1 inch before it disappears under my desk.


RE: Corded
By Cunthor666 on 9/3/2008 3:34:47 AM , Rating: 2
Not so much the cord, as it is having to place your keyboard on the lap to type which usually hinders the distance and position you can place the keyboard.

Also backlighting comes in handy then, because the desk lamp light won't reach your crotch nor will the screens' glow. And no, I do not use a computer desk with a keyboard tray, so it sits higher then the natural typing position hence why I use a wireless keyboard.


RE: Corded
By KaiserCSS on 9/2/2008 12:42:20 PM , Rating: 2
I'm sorry, but when did you start using computers? I still use corded everything; all I have to do is keep my wiring neat, and I don't have to worry about recharging anything. Plus it's cheaper. To each his own I suppose.


RE: Corded
By Silver2k7 on 9/2/2008 1:03:14 PM , Rating: 2
having 2 coordless mice is also an option, you don't need to worry about batteries, just take the 2nd one from the charging station when one runs out.. of course it will cost twice as much as one corded mouse.. but it feels better to use :)


RE: Corded
By SilthDraeth on 9/2/2008 4:14:58 PM , Rating: 2
Logitech MX Revolution, has a charging cradle, just put it there at night. It can go for a week without being charged, but why do that when you can recharge it overnight, and never worry about it again.


RE: Corded
By darklight0tr on 9/2/2008 5:22:01 PM , Rating: 2
What do you do when the non-user replaceable battery kicks the bucket, as the one on my roommate's PC just did? He now is the proud owner of a $100 paperweight.

I flirted with wireless mice for a while, but batteries proved to be far too much of an annoyance just so I could be rid of the mouse cord.


RE: Corded
By Omega215D on 9/2/2008 6:03:06 PM , Rating: 2
I have the VX Revolution and it uses AA batteries which lasts for a couple of months, then I switched to Energizer Lithium AA and it lasts longer. I also have the the VX Nano which holds 2 AAA batteries and lasts for 3 months, add in the lithium Energizers and I have them for 4 - 5 months.


RE: Corded
By theapparition on 9/2/2008 12:43:21 PM , Rating: 3
One other feature that corded keyboards can have is a built in USB hub.

The "gamer" version has two USB ports, and I use both for a mouse and spaceball.


RE: Corded
By Sulphademus on 9/2/2008 1:41:51 PM , Rating: 5
quote:
I use both for a mouse and spaceball .


Is he an asshole too?


RE: Corded
By Spivonious on 9/2/2008 2:15:03 PM , Rating: 3
I'd vote you up if I could, but I already posted.

"Keep firing, assholes!"


RE: Corded
By foolsgambit11 on 9/2/2008 1:45:30 PM , Rating: 2
I agree that's nice, but for those who want to get rid of cords, a place to plug two more cords in isn't really a big plus.


RE: Corded
By jimpaka on 9/2/2008 1:15:32 PM , Rating: 3
I have a M$ cordless keyboard at work and it is horrible. Even with new batteries and the receiver sitting right next to the keyboard (thus defeating the purpose of having the cordless device), typing quickly results in the occasional dropping of keystrokes. As a programmer, and someone who does a lot of work on the command line, I just can't deal with it. Cordless is a gimmick and not worth the risk of running into such unreliability.


RE: Corded
By RMSe17 on 9/2/2008 5:31:32 PM , Rating: 4
Don't be so quick to judge the entire wireless keyboard market because you ran into a crap Microsoft product. I have used Logitech Cordless Desktop Pro for over 9 years, and never had a problem with either the keyboard or the mouse. The keyboard batteries needed to be replaced only once per year, and I used that computer all the time, either for games, or for my programming and homework at the university.


RE: Corded
By LordanSS on 9/2/2008 3:56:38 PM , Rating: 3
Sorry... for me, wireless is just not reliable enough, specially for gaming. Batteries? Pass...

I remember couple years ago, we're in the middle of a raid in EQ2. Main tank's keyboard (cordless) ran out of juice, and he didn't have charged batteries to plug in. 23 other people waiting for him to run to a store, to buy something...

Nope. Cord is just fine, thank you.


RE: Corded
By Sulphademus on 9/3/2008 8:25:12 AM , Rating: 2
Sadly, this situation happens more often than most people would think.


So what?
By Smokey159 on 9/2/08, Rating: -1
RE: So what?
By Cobra Commander on 9/2/2008 11:45:13 AM , Rating: 2
At least they're not like X-bit Labs, where every move, sound and decision Art Lebedev makes headline news with his exorbitant OLED keyboard... I pretty much know his BM regularity at this point...


RE: So what?
By DASQ on 9/2/2008 11:45:38 AM , Rating: 2
Because DailyTech is some kind of glorious pinnacle of technological publishing?


RE: So what?
By Smokey159 on 9/2/2008 11:47:26 AM , Rating: 3
Must be, you're reading it...


RE: So what?
By omnicronx on 9/2/2008 12:08:28 PM , Rating: 3
So what??? Porn in the dark with ease.. that's what!! I think the target audience is perfect for a DT article wouldn't you say??


RE: So what?
By nugundam93 on 9/2/2008 12:20:49 PM , Rating: 2
hahahahaha...cybers3x in the dark. :)


RE: So what?
By JohnnyCNote on 9/2/08, Rating: -1
"It seems as though my state-funded math degree has failed me. Let the lashings commence." -- DailyTech Editor-in-Chief Kristopher Kubicki











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