Tech

Published on June 13th, 2007 | by Erich Becker

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SteelSeries SteelPad S&S

SteelSeries SteelPad S&S Erich Becker

Summary: A high-end mouse pad all gamers need to own

4.0


Generally most people would assume that your mouse pad is a disposable part of your set up, and for most casual users this is most likely true, but for gamers, where split-second timing is everything, a mouse pad could be the difference between a rocket to the head, or narrowly dodging disaster.

SteelSeries has long been known as one of the premiere gaming peripheral manufacturers with mouse pads, gaming headsets, and even co-branded mice and keyboards all aimed at making your gameplay easier, and smoother.

The SteelSeries S&S is a 12.6’x10.6′ hard plastic mouse pad which serves as one of the company’s entry level pads. The surface is suited for all types of mice, and for the purposes of this review a Logitech G5 Laser Mouse was utilized. The rubberized underside of the pad creates a non-slip grip to your desk, and the pad didn’t move once during our testing, including extensive late-night sessions of World of WarCraft and a few select first-person shooters.

Previously using a standard cloth mouse pad you instantly notice an increase in responsiveness due to a decrease in drag from the cloth. The plastic surface coupled with the already smoothly designed feet on the G5 provided quick, reactive movement in all the games and programs tested. In the mouse-intensive World of WarCraft the mouse worked wonderfully allowing you to move your character with general ease. The huge surface area of the pad eliminates the need to pick up your mouse and re-center it after extended playtimes.

We also tested the S&S with the entirely mouse-based Space Quest Collection from Sierra where lightning fast reflexes are not necessarily required, but the extensive surface area is the biggest benefit. Finally, testing was done in Adobe Fireworks creating the graphics used on this site; the precise movement was a noticeable change from the cloth pad and from not using one at all.

The SteelSeries S&S comes with a protective carrying case and self-adhering feet for your current mouse, should it not be out-of-the-box equipped with specially designed feet like the G5. SteelSeries knows how to make products for serious gamers and the S&S puts that pedigree in the limelight, you can’t go wrong with this pad, it’s a must addition to any serious gamer’s setup.

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About the Author

Thirty-something with a love of everything we cover here, and a few things we don't. Erich has run Entertainmentopia since the site's inception in 1999, countless redesigns, a few crashes, and a lot of media later, here you have it!



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