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As computers and mobile devices become an important part of our work or school lives, it’s almost inevitable that cords will snake their way onto desks, twisting and tangling into a messy mess. As if keeping desks clean wasn’t already difficult, cable management adds another layer of complexity to the task. There are desks that offer one solution or another, and these often rely on rigid and inflexible designs. Accessories give a bit more freedom, but it’s often an all-or-nothing affair that brings all those cables together in one place. This magnet-powered system, on the other hand, lets you decide where to store those cords, and its beautiful PU leather base also protects your desk from scratches and spills.
Designer: Function 101
Even before computers lived on our desks, desk pads offered a combination of protection and decoration for sometimes plain or damaged tables. As our lives get a little more complicated, these desk accessories too have evolved to go beyond the call of duty and offer additional features ranging from temporary paper storage to wireless charging.
Function 101’s Desk Mat Pro is part of this new generation, although you might not be able to tell at first glance. The PU pebble leather gives it an elegant and stylish character and would already do its job by itself to make your desk more attractive while keeping harmful liquids and sharp objects from ruining your desk. In reality, however, it serves as the basis for a rather creative cable management system, thanks to an inner layer infused with metal to which magnetic objects can stick.
The heart of this cable management system is really the Cable Block XL, a minimalistic cube with a cut-out where you can easily slide any cable. Powerful neodymium magnets ensure it stays in place and prevents cables from pulling the blocks away. You can place the blocks anywhere you want or need them, on the Desk Mat Pro or even on a bare metal desk. You can even combine blocks in a row to keep all cables in one area, or arrange them individually in different locations for better space efficiency. You have complete freedom in designing your cable management system and still look good whatever you end up with.
Because it’s a magnet-based system, the Desk Mat Pro also opens up to more than just blocks. For example, there’s a forthcoming “coaster” that can fit an Apple MagSafe charger for iPhones, eliminating the need for a high cube when you really just need a low puck. It could also hold other magnetic accessories and decorations to make sure they don’t accidentally get knocked around and cause a domino effect causing your drink to spill. That’s what the Desk Mat Pro is for anyway.
