Function101 Desk Mat and Cable Block XL
Desk Mat Pro and the Cable Block XLs are smartly designed, very durable, easy to clean, and have colorful options. The products are appropriately priced and they are easy to use. Products are highly recommended.
- DESIGN
- EASE OF USE
- PRICE
Desk Mat Pro is a solid addition to your workspace accessories.
I’ve been working from home for a little over 2 years now and I love my home office. I use a smart desk which is great because I can stand up every once in a while while I work. The only problem with the desk is its top. The desk is durable but susceptible to scratches. I’ve been very careful but still end up with some surface damage here and there. I’ve been using a desk mat for this very reason.
Desk mats are made from a variety of materials, including rubber, cloth, and leather. Some desk mats have special features, such as built-in mouse pads or gel padding. The one I’ve been using most recently is designed to work with magnetic products. The Desk Mat Pro features a metal-infused layer that allows magnetic items to cling to it so they don’t slide behind your desk when they are not in use. Read on to learn more about the product and my experience with it.
About Desk Mat Pro
Desk Mat Pro is a specially designed desk mat from Function 101, a company that focuses on creating functional, stylish accessories that complement the hardware of a modern workspace. The designers of Desk Mat Pro paid special attention to the needs of Apple users. It is in fact referred to as the “ultimate Apple Accessory Management System” by Function 101.
The desk mat is crafted with premium PU Pebble Leather and has a faux suede bottom. There is a matching collection of silicone cable accessories that are designed to work with the magnetic properties of the desk mat. Desk Mat Pro is extra long but narrow. Its dimensions are 31in x 16in, which is large enough to accommodate a keyboard and mouse, tablet, or laptop.
Pricing & Availability
Desk Mat Pro has a list price of $39.95 from function101.com. It’s sold as a package on Amazon with two Cable Block XLs for $59.95. There are four different colors — black, gray, navy, and purple.
User Experience
The Desk Mat Pro is shipped in a rectangular cardboard box. The mat itself is rolled up and when you pull it out, it is a little rolled up on the ends. I do have to say that the mat flattens out relatively quickly — especially in comparison to other desk mats I’ve used. Function 101 actually recommends 1-2 days for the desk mat to fully flatten out. Their instruction state, “…as wrinkles or lines will disappear from being rolled up in shipping.” I didn’t have that big of an issue with wrinkles or lines and since I laid it on my desk with a keyboard weighing it down, it didn’t take nearly that long to flatten out.
In my daily use of the Desk Mat Pro, I’ve noticed that it slides around quite a bit on my smooth desktop. This doesn’t bother me though because it makes it easier to adjust how I am sitting and repositioning my keyboard isn’t a difficult thing to do. I know that sliding might be a problem for some people but it really isn’t for me.
My previous desk mat was the Harber London Microfibre Desk Mat — which is also a very nice accessory. I’ve been using it for around 6 months now and with 16+ hours of daily use with it, I’ve noticed that it has darkened quite a bit due to the natural oils in my hands as well as other dirt. That desk mat wasn’t very easy to clean. The surface of the Desk Mat Pro is.
With a simple damp cloth, you can wipe the surface clean and since it’s smooth, you can blow or easily dust off crumbs or other dust particles. Since I practically live at my desk, this is a big bonus for me.
One day I knocked my practically empty cup of coffee over on the desk mat. Fortunately, there were only a few droplets that sprayed onto the desk. What did get on the desk mat was easily wiped clean. I didn’t have to worry about it getting stained or damaged due to the hot liquid. I just took a damp cloth and wiped it clean.
I also really like the color I chose (purple). It’s a pale lavender with a hint of a gray tone mixed in. It really personalizes my desk space and adds a splash of color that is calming and not distracting in any way. I like the colors that Function 101 chose to launch the Desk Mat Pro with, but I do hope they come out with more options in the future. I would love to have the opportunity to swap desk mats out with my moods or even the change of the seasons.
The Cable Block XLs have been a big help to me, too. When I read about the desk mat having magnetic properties, I realized it was a function I never thought I needed one I’m grateful to have. I constantly have two cables (a USB-C and a Lightning cable) strung across my desk. They are usually hidden and draped inconspicuously behind something so they aren’t annoying me but being able to have them close at hand without them falling behind my desk is wonderful. I also really like that the blocks’ colors are designed to match the desk mat. They almost completely blend in which is a nice touch.
I also really like how my Apple Pencil and Apple Watch Charger stick to the mat as well. Again, this was something I didn’t think about needing, but I really hate it when my Apple Pencil rolls off my desk. Now, it stays in place on the mat. I did try to see if my iPhone 14 Pro would adhere to the mat, but it does not. I would guess that is because the camera system causes the phone to not lay 100% flat on a surface.
Conclusion
The Function 101 Desk Mat Pro is a great mat for those who are looking for a way to organize their desk. It has a lot of features that make it easy to use and it is also very durable. Because it’s so easy to keep clean and it adds color to an otherwise monochromatic workspace, the Desk Mat Pro is a solid winner for me. I would recommend it to anyone and would even buy it again.
