3M Company MS201GY PRECISE MOUSING SURFACE MOUSEPAD - GREY MOUNTAINS

Pros: Thin, improves mouse accuracy, aesthetically pleasing.
Cons: More expensive than conventional mousepads, surface can be scratched

This innovative mouse pad from 3M utilizes a special reflective surface (which feels like tiny scales) as an improved way to reflect light off of a mouse pad to the receptor on the bottom of an optical ( laser ) mouse. 3M claims that the improvement in accuracy is three-fold. Even I have noticed a greater deal of accuracy than when using a cloth mousepad.

The original version had a slick backside, which is now covered in a gripping rubber to reduce slippage of the mousepad, which was a problem. Also, the plastic composition helps keep the laser mechanism clean, and if you decide to use a trackball mouse on the product, will reduce the number of times that the ball needs to be cleaned.

The only downsides are that the mousepad is a few dollars more expensive than cloth pads, and that the scaly surface can be scratched by a diamond ring or a fingernail, although this has no visible effect on the product's effectiveness.