On our desk this week - 8

SteelPad 5L

Price: $40

Mouse pads are big business now, with pro gamers constantly searching for the next big thing to give them a performance edge in Counter-Strike or Quake. Some prefer harder, plastic pads whilst others like expansive cloth ones. SteelPad is striking a new note with a pad that combines the best of both worlds!

This is actually a really nice compromise between the two. The plastic back makes the pad nice and rigid, and the rubberish backing keeps it nicely on the desk. The textured cloth on top is perfect for mice of all descriptions, whether laser, optical or even (does anyone still use these?) ball mice.

It's pretty massive, as you can see from our picture - the bit-tech RatPad is positively dwarfed!

At $40, this certainly isn't cheap, but it really does provide something new for those looking for a change away from their standard pad. The travel is certainly more like a cloth mat, but the rigidity of the plastic gives the mouse just a little more speed. It really is like a halfway house between the two in terms of mousing action, so if that sounds good to you, you'll enjoy getting to grips with this.