fUnc 1030 MBA

[larkin]

I know the topic of mousepads has been covered and I read it and the func 1030 series looks pretty sweet.

So, the new version called archetype comes in "soft-feel hard plastic" and "MBA" aka Machine billet aluminum. So wow, cool aluminum right? Except that wait, aluminum is cheap and bendy and it's more than $10 more than the plastic version, and I really can't find anywhere what Machine billet means. I'm guessing it just means regular cheap'o aluminum. I'll bet it costs less to make the plastic version too. I also have a glass desk but figure the silicon legs of the pad are on both plastic and aluminum versions so it wouldn't matter.

Anyways, yall with the MBA fancy version. Seriously, is it worth it? I read some web reviews that dont bash it but wish it was made of something more sturdy, like titanium one reviewer said (which would cost 10x more). I'm inclined to get the plastic but I could be swayed by shinnier things backed by testimony.

thanks

 

[thrawn86]

as far as I can tell, the aluminum part is just the base, which is just there to keep the pad from scooting. the squishy rubber base (regular 1030) that I have keeps it stuck in place just fine. Why would there be any difference between the two?

 

[larkin]

The difference seems to be asthetics and material properties that effect the functionality of it.

asthetics: aluminum is apparently carried down from the limited edition of their first mousepad. So that look is suppose to be the "premium" look. It's also $15 more.

functionality: some newegg reviews state that their aluminum version came slightly bent and that they had to bend it back to flat when they opened it from the box. They say it's all fine now but the idea that you can bend it like that and it stays bent worries me. func also says the aluminum is partly a responce to complaints about their previous mousepad scuffing on the bottom. That is, after heavy use the bottom of the pad would start to wear down. I dont see how this comes in to play here because both version of the pad have silicon legs that are meant to be the contact of the pad. If the whole bottom actually touches the surface then material matters. Aluminum wont scuff like plastic, however, on glass, aluminum may scratch and certainly may not be ideal, plastic would be ideal.

All but hit the purchase button on the plastic version, I just need to wait to get my debit card from my new bank.

 

[discochan]

I agree. Aluminum may look a little better, but it can bend and damage your desk.

Get the plastic one

 

[jstenuf]

The difference seems to be asthetics and material properties that effect the functionality of it.

asthetics: aluminum is apparently carried down from the limited edition of their first mousepad. So that look is suppose to be the "premium" look. It's also $15 more.

functionality: some newegg reviews state that their aluminum version came slightly bent and that they had to bend it back to flat when they opened it from the box. They say it's all fine now but the idea that you can bend it like that and it stays bent worries me. func also says the aluminum is partly a responce to complaints about their previous mousepad scuffing on the bottom. That is, after heavy use the bottom of the pad would start to wear down. I dont see how this comes in to play here because both version of the pad have silicon legs that are meant to be the contact of the pad. If the whole bottom actually touches the surface then material matters. Aluminum wont scuff like plastic, however, on glass, aluminum may scratch and certainly may not be ideal, plastic would be ideal.

All but hit the purchase button on the plastic version, I just need to wait to get my debit card from my new bank.

I had the original func 1030 with the rubber base and plastic mouse pad insert. I bought the MBA primarily because I got tired of having to
clean the rubber base to keep it from sliding around the desk top. The aluminum base is heavier than the old rubber base and stays put. Mine was in perfect condition when I got, no bends or other defect I coukd detect. The insert on the MBA ia gray color with a black honey comb pattern as opposed the orginal black.

 

[larkin]

I had the original func 1030 with the rubber base and plastic mouse pad insert. I bought the MBA primarily because I got tired of having to
clean the rubber base to keep it from sliding around the desk top. The aluminum base is heavier than the old rubber base and stays put. Mine was in perfect condition when I got, no bends or other defect I coukd detect. The insert on the MBA ia gray color with a black honey comb pattern as opposed the orginal black.

So what do you think about the aluminum against my glass desk? Seems plastic would stick to glass just fine and I think the plastic version of the new func is also grey insert.