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There remain considerable challenges for the PC in the coming years, including large-scale computational problems that will require ever more robust hardware. But what good is all that power if there's no vanity to go along with it? We've got LEDs in our cases now, so why not in our mouse pads. I know what you're thinking: "Why, oh why, can't somebody please make a glowing mouse pad to match those cool LEDs I've got in my PC?" Take heart, gentle reader, because here's one prayer that's finally been answered. Coming from mouse pad maker EverGlide, the Giganta Ray takes one of the company's large form-factor mouse pads and sticks… a blue LED in it.

Is it this the next must-have item for the modder who has everything? Turn the page to find out.

Here are the Ray's particulars:

9 1/2" High x 11 1/2" Wide by 1/4" Deep Blue UltraBrite (no relation to the toothpaste) LED design Non-skid backing 5' USB Cable

How We Tested

We actually spent some time using the pad, testing it with a Logitech MX-700 cordless optical mouse to see if that spiffy blue LED would interfere with the mouse's sensor.

We also plugged in a USB game controller to verify that the Giganta Ray's LED wasn't eating too much power on the USB bus.

Next, we evaluated the overall blueness of the Ray's LED, verifying that it was really, really blue.

Test Results/Ergonomics/Usability

The Giganta Ray connects to one of your PC's USB ports, using the port's power pins to work its magic. Installation couldn't be any simpler: plug the pad into an available mouse port and instantly you'll be drawn to it like a fly to a bug-zapper o' death. Of course the only thing the Giganta Ray kills is the time you spend staring at it saying "pretty."

As a mouse pad, the EverGlide performed just fine with our Logitech MX-700 -- the mouse's sensor were never once confused or disoriented during the course of our extensive (fifteen-minute) testing. We fired up Unreal Tournament 2003 and took a spin through a deathmatch level to make sure the mouse wouldn't go loco because of the blue LED. We attached a game pad and fired up MVP 2004. Again, no trouble -- other than being distracted by the Ray's indigo siren song. It called out to us, diverting our attention away from the ballgame.

And, yes, the Giganta Ray's LED is really, really blue.

If you've been pining for an LED-quipped mouse pad, your wait is over. Then again, if you've been pining for an LED-equipped mouse pad, maybe you need to take stock of your life and find something more worthwhile to pine for (hint: they're called girls, and no, they don't have cooties). The LED aside, this is another fine mouse pad from the EverGlide folks, offering quite good quality functionality. It looks like a new incarnation of the Church of the Blue Light may be upon us, with EverGlide leading the way.

Product: EverGlide Giganta Ray

Web site: www.everglide.com

Pros: It's blue! That LED looks real boss and chicks dig it (we think).

Cons: That LED color isn't mood-responsive; only comes in blue; no light show

Summary: If you're looking for a mouse pad that glows, and have nothing better to do with $40 bucks, then this is one for you. EverGlide makes good mouse pads, and models with the same mousing surface sans LED can be had for quite a bit less.

Price: $39

Score:

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in ExtremeTech.

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