Depending on the surface of your desktop, it may / may not help. My DT has a light grey formica type finish, with a slight pebble-grain finish. My g5 works just fine without a pad, and I can keep it clean with the same cleaner that I use for my LCD - a 50% mixture of iospropanyl alcohol and water. Also works good on mousey feet... Glides fine, no lags and no hunting, and no running off the mat.