ROCCAT Alumic Review

A gaming pad with a difference. Anodized aluminium core for durability and double sided for low and high sensitivity gamers.

Product on Review: Alumic Gaming Mouse Pad
Manufacturer & Sponsor: ROCCAT / Meroncourt
Street Price: £36.98 inc. VAT (At time of review)

It was just 2 weeks ago that we got our first ‘hands-on’ look at ROCCAT’s latest and greatest at CeBIT 2011. The first item that ROCCAT showed us at that event is the item under review today. A double sided gaming mouse pad with an anodized aluminium core providing ultimate stability and durability, whilst accommodating both low and high-sensitivity gamers by way of 2 completely different surface textures.

Alumic is a very intriguing product and is sure to get plenty of exposure due to its unique design. In the following pages we will take a close look at the pad and find out how well it interacts with both optical and laser gaming mice.

ROCCAT’s Take on Alumic:

With two very different surface structures, the ROCCAT™ Alumic meets the highest demands of both low and high-sense gamers. Each side also features a different design. Made from high-quality aluminum, the ROCCAT™ Alumic offers maximum stability and durability. Extra-large mousepad feet ensure the mousepad stays rooted to the spot while offering the ultimate in mouse control when gaming. It also includes a gel-filled wrist rest for maximum comfort.

Specifications

DOUBLE-SIDED MOUSEPAD
– Featuring Speed & Control surfaces, each with an individual design
ANODIZED ALUMINUM CORE
– With warp-protection – guaranteeing maximum stability & durability
INCLUDING GEL WRIST REST
– Ergonomic, fatigue-free comfort for long gaming sessions
NON-SLIP RUBBER FEET
– Provide ultra-strong grip on any desk
HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS
– Compact – measures 331×272mm with a thickness of 3mm
EASY-TO-CLEAN SURFACE
– Allow anything causing friction to be removed in a flash

Packaging & Bundle

Though we are only dealing with a gaming mouse pad here you will notice that ROCCAT are keen to design attractive, eye-catching packaging. How a product is presented is important. It also shows that the brand has passion for their products – none more so with the Alumic, on either side of the packaging we have surface feedback cut-outs to allow you to get a feel for how each side of the pad feels – afterall the Alumic is a double-sided gaming mouse pad remember. The front or top side has a smoother surface that is “speed optimized” whilst the rear or underside is much more granular and is “control optimized”. It’s a nice touch to include a sample of each surface on the packaging.

On the front we have the key elements listed such as: double-sided with anodized aluminium core – offering both speed and control options on each surface and there is even a bundled gel wrist rest.

ROCCAT Alumic packaging is eye-catching to say the least

Samples of both top and underside surfaces of the pad on the packaging

Opening the packaging up there are just two items included within – the Alumic pad and a gel wrist rest that can be attached for added comfort.

The Alumic bundle

Closer Look

So lets take a closer look at the Alumic. First of all the top-side, here we have the ROCCAT emblem stamped right in the middle. Personally I think it looks fantastic, it catches the eye and is very atmospheric.

Flipping the pad over we see the underside has more discreet styling. With just the outline of the ROCCAT insignia. The Alumic pad is a good size – measuring in at 27 x 33 cm.

Alumic is the most sturdy, robust mouse pad I have ever come into contact with. Having an anodized aluminium core (between each surface) the Alumic is going to be extremely durable.

The top-side with striking ROCCAT emblem

The under-side with more subtle styling

The Alumic is dual sides as seen above, each of these sides has a different surface texture to accommodate different gaming styles. The top side features a smoother surface that is “speed optimized” whilst the underside has a gritty surface texture compared to the top side. This underside ROCCAT claims, will allow for greater control and is labelled “control optimized”. The great thing about Alumic is that you can simply switch to either side should you prefer a certain surface type, you aren’t stuck with just the one surface type like other mouse pads.

Top side of Alumic has a smooth surface for better glide and speed

Whilst the underside has a granular texture that provides better control

Due to the Alumic having a double sided surface for mouse use, ROCCAT had to implement a different friction technique to the pad since the traditional mouse pad would usually have a rubberised underside to stop it slipping around. So on each corner there are rubberised pads that protrude out, providing good friction, which prevents the pad from moving around whilst under extreme use.

Rubberised corner pads on both sides of the pad to prevent movement

The Alumic is 3mm thick around the prominent area surface area whilst another 1mm on each edge for the pads. So in terms of height its in that sweet spot, neither too flat or too high.

Alumic is 3mm thick

Lastly, included in the bundle is a gel wrist rest that can either be stuck onto the pad or to the desk – just behind it. This gel wrist rest provides some added comfort. It raises your wrist 4cm – making it line up with the height of the mouse better than it would without the rest pad. Wrist pads aren’t usually found on gaming pads but on generic office mouse pads for those who use a mouse for long periods of time. They are used in the work place to prevent RSI so its not a bad idea to have the option of adding this to the setup.

Optional gel wrist rest for added comfort

Is Alumic a good gaming pad? Testing

So now we come to the most important aspect of the review. How does the Alumic respond on both sides of the pad with an optical and laser gaming mouse? There is no definitive guide to testing the pad other than to examine performance using two different sensor mice for an extended period of time on both sides of Alumic. Of course to do this, it is necessary to load up some popular titles and indulge in a series of gaming sessions. Normal office usage is also important so the general types of operation such as web browser and graphic design will also be undertaken.

ROCCAT have tested the Alumic with the following gaming mice. Obviously with such an extensive list of optical and laser mice already having been experimented with, it goes without saying that if you don’t have a mouse from the list below there is no need to worry.

• ROCCAT™ Kone
• ROCCAT™ Kone[+]
• ROCCAT™ Kova
• ROCCAT™ Kova[+]
• ROCCAT™ Pyra
• Microsoft® Sidewinder
• Microsoft® MS 3.0 / 1.1
• Logitech® MX/G-Series
• SpeedLink® Kudos
• Steel Series™ Ikari
• Steel Series™ Xai
• Steel Series™ Kinzu
• Razer Lachesis™
• Razer Naga™
• Razer Diamondback™
• Razer Deathadder™

Test Mice

• ROCCAT Kone[+] (Laser)
• GIGABYTE M6900 (Optical)

Alumic with Kone[+] showing the overall size of the pad

Gaming – Crysis 2 & Call of Duty Black Ops

Testing out pads and gaming peripherals is definitely one of the perks of this job. Loading up some of the most popular titles I used the Alumic with the two different gaming mice for many hours and of course experimented with both sides of the Alumic pad. What became apparent was that the topside was certainly the side that I prefer to use because I am playing FPS and use low sensitivity (500-800DPI). The top surface is designed for speed as it is smoother than the underside which is granular and tends to lean towards those who use high sensitivity.

In all my experience with the pad within a gaming environment the Alumic worked flawlessly. Due to the rubber feet on each edge being symmetrical the pad is kept perfectly flat, it also has an anodized aluminium core beneath each layer so this is not only robust but its also rigid and doesn’t bend out of shape. Another interesting characteristic of this aluminium core is the fact that the pad is kept cool across the surface area. This, believe it or not does keep the palm/hand cooler and thus less prone to sweat.

Both mice worked flawlessly on the Alumic without any problems. This is an extremely precise gaming surface and I love the option of switching the pad over for a different surface texture. The rubberised feet also do a great job at preventing the Alumic from moving.

General use – graphic design

Those purchasing the Alumic won’t always be using the pad within a gaming environment. We all browse the internet, use office applications and some of us use graphic design software suites. So how does it perform in this area of use?

Well, the Alumic again works very well in this field too. The top side appears to provide a quieter transition for the mouse compared to the underside. Due to the grainy surface on the underside it is of course rougher for the mouse to glide across.

Its important for graphic designers to have a reliable set of peripherals. The mouse and pad are a key element in accuracy within graphic design. The last thing you want when you are intricately designing graphics is mouse stutter, pauses and inconsistencies.

Conclusion

The gaming pad is the most underrated component in many a gamer’s toolbox of equipment but it needn’t be so. A high-quality gaming surface is essential if you are striving for gaming stardom – smooth, accurate, precise, unhindered move movements are an absolute must if you want to crush your enemy.

ROCCAT has delivered some great mouse pad surfaces since their inauguration. Previous products in this department have incorporated the cloth or plastic coating but ROCCAT have presented us with something quite special today with the new Alumic. A double sided gaming pad with 2 completely different surface textures to cater for different gaming styles.

The Alumic pad has an anodized aluminium core for extreme durability and a higher plane of quality compared to a great deal of pads currently on the market. The top side of Alumic delivers a smooth surface offering speed to those who use low sensitivity whilst the underside delivers a granular surface offering control for high sensitivity. You even get an included gel wrist rest to prevent any RSI and ensure that comfort is maintained. ROCCAT really have thought a lot about the design of this pad and have catered for every need imaginable.

In all my experience testing Alumic I found it to be a fantastic pad, it worked flawlessly with both laser and optical gaming mice both in and out of games. Due to its aluminium core, the pad remains rigid throughout usage. Presenting a faultless surface to combine the mouse with. This aluminium core also has another interesting characteristic – it remains cool throughout the time you use the Alumic pad thus reducing sweaty palms during long gaming sessions.

In terms of pricing, Alumic has an SRP of £36.99 inc. VAT. This is going to scare quite a few, but how many cloth gaming pads or plastic gaming pads have you been through in the years you have played games? These type of pads are prone to damage, spillage and general durability issues. I know some friends who have gone through quite a few pads over the years and have as a result paid out more than £40. The point I am getting at is, Alumic is going to last you an incredible amount of time (if not forever) thanks to its aluminium core – durability is a key element. It will sustain damage from being dropped, knocked, having things dropped and spilt on it. This is an extremely robust pad.

So the bottom line is. Alumic is a fantastic pad with lots of positive characteristics. It can be alternated between two different sides which both provide a different surface texture – catering the needs of both low and high sensitivity gamers. It has a strong anodized aluminium core that will sustain years of extreme usage and it looks stunning next to the keyboard and mouse.

Pros
+ Extremely durable – Anodized aluminium core
+ Double sided with different surface textures
+ Works excellent with optical and laser mice
+ Looks fantastic – especially topside
+ One of the best pads on the market

Cons
– Price (gel wrist rest should be removed to bring pricing down)