Written By:
Date Posted: April 25, 2001

Mousepads are probably one of the last things people think about when it comes to computers. Usually, if someone buys a new PC, they'll probably stick with the foam one that came with their computer. If you buy a computer from a big OEM, you'll likely be lucky enough to get one made out of plastic. Still, these pads do nothing more than to give your mouse a home. They weren't the best performing ones, but they did the job. 3M released textured mousepads to cater people who needed more precision, such as graphic designers. It worked great, as the pits and valleys of the pad allowed the mouse ball to get a better grip and provided the accuracy these individuals needed. Problem with the3M was it's relatively high cost, and poor durability.

Recently, new performance mousepads have entered the scene. was the first, followed by the . Both had their pros and cons, but both were similar, in that they were textured and made of solid plastic and nearly unbreakable. The fUnc Surface 1030 is a newer addition to this market, and they've borrowed ideas from earlier performance pads, and added a few twists.

Specifications

• 10" wide x 8.5" high x approx. 1/8" thick
• Metal mouse cord clip
• Two different surfaces (rough, and not as rough)
• All rubber base
• Hand washable
• Ships packaged in a metal tin, w/foam

I received the mousepad from a friend of mine who had one to spare. Up until that day, I had been using the Everglide Attack Pad, which worked great with my optical mouse, but when I got the bigger Boomslang 2000, I was in need of a larger pad.

And here is a pic of the size difference between the fUnc and the Everglide:

A feature up for debate is the cord clip. Nothing fancy, but it seems to do it's job keeping the mouse cord out of the way. It does it's job, but tends to come loose if you tug on the cord too hard, which happens a lot during gaming.

A nice thing about the fUnc, and a curse at the same time, is the black rubber base. Unlike the Everglide, which has 6 rubber feet that don't really work at holding the mousepad still, the rubber base here grips your table like a champ. The bad thing about the rubber base though, it doesn't hold the mousepad itself all that well. If you need to pick up the mousepad to move somewhere, the whole thing comes apart. No big deal really, but it might be annoying to some people.

As mentioned in the specifications, there are two surfaces to the fUnc. One side is fairly rough, like the Everglide. This side is my preference since it allows the mouse to move faster. The smoother side is accessable by simply flipping the mouse pad over and reattaching it to it's base. The smoother side is a little more precise for you snipers. Also, I should point out that both surfaces are capable of handling regular ball mice as well as optical ones. Another benefit is the fUnc protects ball mice somewhat, by not letting as much dust rest on the surface as a regular pad. Dust eventually does accumulate though, but the pad can easily be hand washed with a mild detergent. Both surfaces are effective, and it's nice to know you're sort of getting 2 mousepads for the price of one.

Not really a factor in performance, but I want to mention a couple of words about the tin case it arrives in. As with the Boomslang, the tin case that ships is quite nice. It has an embossed fUnc logo and the packing foam does it's job protecting the mousepad. Unlike other horror stories regarding smashed cases, mine arrived intact. Unfortunently, the case adds weight and bulk, and I'm sure it contributes 70% to the shipping costs.

For 20$ USD, the fUnc Surface 1030 is in the upper price range for a mousepad in this class. The Ratzpad is cheaper, as is the Everglide Giganta. But like I said, you get two surfaces with this pad, and it's low profile makes it nice and comfy. The rubber base is also a heck of a lot better than the rubber feet the others use. Having used the Everglide for over a year, I certainly prefer the versitility the fUnc provides. Do you need this pad if you use an optical? Not really, but I always preferred the "feel" of the mouse gliding on a surface, rather than dragging on a table getting stuck in donut crumbs. Those of you who use a ball mouse, should consider this pad. Those of you who are gamers, and/or rely on precision for designing, you NEED this mousepad.

fUnc Industries:

80%

Pros: Dual surface, lots of surface area, great rubber base in terms of grip to the table, nice tin case, durable and washable.

Cons: Falls apart during transport (but it can be reassembled), cord clip is flimsy, tin case adds to shipping costs.

Home>>