Roll-up mouse pad encloses a hub, speakers, and our hearts

While our minds know that today's mice, particularly those with lasers, work just fine on virtually any (non-moist) surface, that doesn't stop our hearts from missing the soft, forgiving feel of our home mousing surface while on the road. That's partly why the traveler-friendly Roll-up Mouse Pad caught our eye. Sure, just about any pad can be made into a tube and stuffed into a carry-on, but if you pack this one you'll also get a 4-port USB hub and dual, side-firing speakers out of the deal. Sure, the build quality may be sub-par (check the jagged plastic after the break), but for $22 this could make that hotel suite a little bit more inviting for you and that special peripheral you'll be cradling all night.

[NeoDarkSaver @ Nov 20th 2008 1:48PM]

Kinda ugly, but i can see how it can be useful.

[ZaxCG2 @ Nov 20th 2008 2:26PM]

I'd take functionality over beauty any day...
of course I plan on buying a MacBook soon.

THATS RIGHT. BRING IT, FANBOYS.
**raises fists**

[OneLove @ Nov 21st 2008 12:39PM]

But can you poke it?

[mick @ Nov 20th 2008 1:49PM]

usb 1.1? looks like ill be swaping out that for a 2.0 one

[rock99rock @ Nov 20th 2008 1:49PM]

Great idea, they might need to look into a new molding process though.

[happy_penguin @ Nov 20th 2008 2:49PM]

It's a terrific idea. If not for poor quality and a perhaps questionable design I might really be interested. But for $22, not bad at all!

[MarbleMind @ Nov 20th 2008 1:51PM]

If the second photograph conveys any message, it's "Made in China".

[MarbleMind @ Nov 20th 2008 1:56PM]

Darn, already mentioned in the news. *thumbs himself down*

Anyway, I'm waiting for the mousepad with the same amount of USB ports and stereo speakers *without* resorting to a butt-ugly plastic roll. Flexible circuitry is there, put it to use.

[schmitty338 @ Nov 20th 2008 2:04PM]

....if they made it out of better materials with better machinery it would cost much more and then people like you would be all "WTF, good idea but way to expensive....I wouldn't pay more than $22 for that!"

[MarbleMind @ Nov 20th 2008 2:17PM]

Have you read my second post? I would pay exactly $0 for this, and if it was gold with platin rings. Also, people that are short on money are better off waiting until they can afford something decent instead of badly fashioned crap that falls apart right away. Stuff like this is only of use if it doesn't get crushed when hastily jammed into peoples bags, right between their precious lappy and some science tomes.

[gggg gunit @ Nov 20th 2008 5:55PM]

Ha the font on that switch says it all. why'd they always use that font?!

[Patrick @ Nov 20th 2008 2:03PM]

An excellant idea...something i would actually consider buying.
*sigh* a nerds new best friend...

[Eric Maldonado @ Nov 20th 2008 2:06PM]

The concept is highly functional in form, but the design seems barely lacking. How could this be better? I'm not exactly sure. It's a great start. A-

[Kali4 @ Nov 20th 2008 2:33PM]

Boobs--- they make everything better.

[rlynd3 @ Nov 20th 2008 3:40PM]

I used to think that too until i saw this: http://www.aeroplastics.net/Diana_Blok/Male_wet_nurse.jpg

[InfinityPlusOne @ Nov 20th 2008 4:28PM]

This would be awesome! My hand would be enveloped in stereo sound!!! What that? I don't have a pair of ears on my hands? Oh, right. Nevermind then.

[Randy @ Nov 20th 2008 2:13PM]

Nifty idea, but my laptop, which would likely be with me when I use this has all of the functionality that this device has built into it. So what would be the point of having this then?

[lanejasper69 @ Nov 20th 2008 2:29PM]

EXACTLY, all this REALLY is, is a usb hub with speakers, well and a mousepad, but most laptops wouldn't need any of this except the additional usb ports, but these are 1.1, so how would it charge anything like a cellphone if you plugged it in, will it charge it at all?

Not a bad concept, but is this thing powered other than usb from the laptop or pc it's connected to, and if so do the 1.1 ports charge gadgets too? Then I'd be interested, the speakers, hmmmmm....may be better, may be worse....than most laptops that is. I'm seeing a usb 2.0 hub in my future for about $10.00. Although I kinda like this, would be good for traveling, motels etc.

my 2¢

[Benson @ Nov 20th 2008 3:44PM]

The difference between USB 1.1 and 2.0 is principally the addition of high speed. Power should be the same, although (assuming this can operate in bus-powered mode) there will be power issues that way, as with a USB 2.0 bus-powered hub.

[MrGone @ Nov 20th 2008 2:31PM]

So with this positioned to the right of my keyboard, I would have stereo speakers to my right, and farther to my right...

[bangladeshiluv @ Nov 20th 2008 2:34PM]

mousepad? whats that?

[Patriks7 @ Nov 20th 2008 2:49PM]

Provides better security for your mouse and a play area too!

http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/09/standard-dell-mouse-gets-grs-electrode-implant/

(Second comment to see what I'm talking about..)

[Fred @ Nov 20th 2008 2:44PM]

Boobs can be too... bumpy. User keira knightley's, that'd be ok...

[Fred @ Nov 20th 2008 2:45PM]

Oops, that was in response to Kali4:
Boobs--- they make everything better.

[bangladeshiluv @ Nov 20th 2008 2:47PM]

she's got a body of a prepubescent boy you sicko

[Patriks7 @ Nov 20th 2008 2:50PM]

True.. imagine using a mouse on boobs of Pamela Anderson.. I think you'd have something different there and not a mouse after a couple minutes :p

[Oli D @ Nov 20th 2008 3:17PM]

Re using laser mouse on Pamela's bosom,
the laser frequency might heat up the silicone and cause it to explode in a display of fireworks

Or, it could just get you a restraining order

[Oli D @ Nov 20th 2008 3:15PM]

I'm not liking the 12V power input facing towards the mouse-ateer (not mouse eater)
And this slightly ruins the point of a cordless mouse, if you dont even have a cordless mousemat.

Cute idea though, and for $22 its a fair Christmas Present

[Benson @ Nov 20th 2008 4:15PM]

I can see the point of this idea, but this implementation seems really bad. First, I'd point out the coloring is not to PC97 spec, unless you actually can plug a microphone in there; it's equivalent (or at least closer) to a line in, so that should be blue. More seriously, you have all the USB ports out the side, necessitating removal of all USB devices to roll it up; if the speakers fired out the side/top, and the USB ports were on one or both ends, you could leave devices plugged in.

Finally, though it's not necessary, having a USB soundcard instead of the audio jack would make it a one-cable hookup. OTOH, is anyone actually going to use these speakers anyway? I can't see them being noticeably better than laptop speakers...

[we @ Nov 20th 2008 5:21PM]

honestly. who even uses a mouse pan any more?

[we @ Nov 20th 2008 5:22PM]

typo. i meant pad!

[RBL-VipeR @ Nov 21st 2008 10:30AM]

Great innovative idea for on the go add on for a smaller laptop! Unfortunately, a look at the specs of this thing makes me CRINGE:

"Product Specifications:
- USB 1.1, 4 ports hub "

I do not want to relive the good ol' 10Mb/sec of spec 1.1, kthx bb.