Razer, the company that invented “gaming” RGB-lit drink coasters, is no stranger to flashy design. And it’s not unusual to charge more for these designs than anyone else can get away with. So here we are: while glass mousepads have been a go-to for PC users who value aesthetics over functionality for a few years now, Razer is making them now. It’s called Atlas and it costs a fucking hundred dollars.
Compared to some of the other pompous products in the Razer catalog, like a soundbar that scans your head position or a headset with interchangeable animal ears, it’s surprisingly tame. The Atlas is a 450 x 400 millimeters (17.72 x 15.75 inches) tempered glass panel mounted on a rubber base that gives it a gunmetal look. It’s super smooth and hard – yes, it’s glass! – but the slightly matte etched pattern means it’s great for optical mice. Unlike ordinary transparent glass, which, you know, is not.
No Chroma backlight, no wireless mouse charging. It’s just a sheet of glass and some rubber with the Razer logo engraved on it. The company kindly asks you not to use the Atlas to light a fire like a magnifying glass, or use it as a giant sun visor, or smash anyone’s skulls with it. (No, all three things are contraindicated on the Razer specs page for the Atlas!) The fact that the company explicitly tells you not to use the mouse pad as a blunt weapon indicates that they are confident that tempered glass will last a long time. for some time.
Razer
However, a hundred bucks is pretty ridiculous. Unbranded designs like this will set you back about twenty dollars on Amazon, as will a glass cutting board about the same size. I recommend buying the latter and sticking a regular mousepad cloth on the bottom – at least then you can use it for cutting vegetables.