GS stands for Gaming Surface, and it promises to be lighter than the original pad, grips the surface better when the going gets tough, and has a surface with even less drag than the ultra-slick original. First impressions are that the GS is very much like its predecessor. The two pads are the same size, and have precisely the same shape. The first difference that you will probably notice is that the bevel is much less pronounced on the new pad, despite the fact that the two actually sit almost precisely the same distance off your desk.
Flipping the Ratpadz over reveals the first major difference between the GS and the original pad. Where as the original was a solid hunk of plastic, the GS has a ribbed structure. This has a couple of advantages over the first pad. First up, the pad is considerably lighter, which I suppose makes the pad simpler to transport (ok I was really clutching at straws with that one), but the main advantage is that it allows the GS to slightly flex when pressure is applied, putting the high friction feet into an angle where they dig in more, and thus grip the table much more firmly. Comparing the likeliness to slip over the original pad shows a marked improvement with the GS, which is considerably less likely to slip than its predecessor. You can buy your Ratpadz for £13ex VAT from The Overclocking Store.
