If you haven't seen the ads on various gaming sites and hardware review sites, then the phrase "Like greased silk" just sounds naughty to you. But to a hardcore PC gamer, it sounds like heaven. The folks at Ratpadz, proud makers of the Ratpadz GS, have released their newest line of precision mousing surfaces targeted at PC gamers, the Ratpadz XT.

The original Ratpadz GS is an excellent mousepad. It has a textured surface that allows for greater mouse precision and accuracy when using optical mice, and a hard plastic design that's durable and easily washable with soap and water. (The manufacturers used to recommend putting your Ratpadz in the dishwasher to clean them, but due to high-heat dishwashers, they no longer recommend this.) My Ratpadz GS finally wore out after about a year of heavy use and countless frags. The textured surface finally wore away and dirt started to collect on the bottom of my mouse. Still, it was a fantastic mousepad. Now I'm looking for a replacement, and Ratpadz series have always measured up as the affordable option for gamers who don't want to spend $40-$70 (or more) on a mousing surface.

The Ratpadz XT is a revival of the original Ratpadz (no longer available) but brings all of the great features of the GS to the table and then some, from the textured, smooth surface to the 9 rubber gripping points on the bottom that keep the mousepad from sliding across the top of your desk during those all-night gaming sessions. The XT also sports a new, slicker surface that prolongs the life of the mousepad and allows your mouse to slide more easily across the surface. The $24.99 price tag may seem steep, but considering how expensive some of its competitors can get, it's relatively affordable.