If you read our review of the Steelpad 3S a few months back then you’re already familiar with the 4S. They’re almost identical other than their size. I’ve used the 3S since the day it came in. When I heard about the 4S I immediately called up John from Steelpad and asked for a review unit. I also inquired about the Cord Holder and he said he’d ship one with it. It was a simple looking device in it’s picture. It shows a solid piece of aluminum with a big thumbscrew. Seems simple enough, eh?

The package arrived and I was somewhat amazed at it’s weight. The Steelpad 3S is fairly light considering it’s a slab of aluminum but this package had some "extra" heft. I pulled out the box above and it held the Steelpad 4S. A new look for their packaging. The box was pretty beat up but there was not even a scratch on the pad so it must work well. With the 4S out of the package, the envelope was still heavy so I reached in and pulled out a heavily bubble-wrapped item. This small item was the other heavy item. I un-wrapped it and found one really sharp looking mouse cord holder originally named the “Cord Holder.” They may not be very original with names, but lucky for us they are with product.

My 3S has been handed around more LAN parties with people wanting to “lookey-touchy” and what not. Many of the LANs I attend use the 4x8 resin tables. They’re pretty sturdy until you throw a 22” Diamondtron and a tower case full of water. Then there’s an obvious bow in the middle. If you’re the guy on the left hand side and happen to be right handed or vice versa for lefties; your typical foam pads will bend with the table resulting in a warped mouse surface. The Steelpad is a solid piece of aluminum despite the “Steel” in it’s name and will not bend....at all! A word to all LAN party organizers. This is not the type of pad you want to throw out into the crowd as a giveaway, let’s try to restrict people being decapitated to the games?