Razer has released its first ever glass mouse pad for gamers. Billed as a mousepad that offers “pure polished precision,” the Razer Atlas (opens in a new tab) it offers a micro-etched tempered glass surface with CNC-milled rounded edges, a non-slip rubber base and quick cleaning. This $99/€119 glass mouse pad isn’t just a recycled glass cutting board.
Glass has been an integral part of our daily lives for centuries. Still, in the world of computer peripherals, where ergonomic considerations meant everyone in the 2000s had a gel wrist rest, it might be a harder sell. Also, in recent years there has been a clear trend towards hard, “fast” mouse surfaces for eSports professionals, but is glass going too far?
Razer notes that its glass mouse pad improves various gaming performance metrics. For precise tracking, the Razer Atlas features a black or white surface that has been micro-etched with 2μm texture for perfect feedback from the optical sensor. For speed and responsiveness, the ultra-smooth matte surface facilitates “fast, steady glides,” says Razer. If you tend to wear down your mouse pads, another touted benefit of this tempered glass design is its impeccable durability, and it should be easy to clean after a sweaty, Cheetos-smeared gaming session.
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Moving away from traditional mouse pads, it seems Razer has yet to find a way to integrate its signature Chroma RGB into the Atlas. Or maybe it will release the RGB version once the excitement for this first Atlas model has died down.
Razer includes some curious caveats on its Atlas product pages. Of course, glass can be dangerous, especially when compared to the fabric and foam of a standard mouse pad. However, should we be careful not to use the Atlas to start fires, as a lens to watch eclipses or solar flares, or to hit others over the head with it?
Razer is asking $99 / €119 for this 450 x 400 x 5mm (17.72 x 15.75 x 0.19-inch) slab of glass. Perhaps this price point will be acceptable to some, but others might be tempted to indulge in some DIY Perks-style shenanigans, like upcycling a glass cutting board. (opens in a new tab) or sandblasting a part of a glass desk (opens in a new tab) for a similar result.
