All that power and immersive spatial computing of Vision Pro is seriously good. But why wear a device on your face when all that can come in simple pair of glasses, while keeping the traditional computing acces. Well “AR Laptop” sounds good to me, honestly the current usability and controls are too good to be given up.
So can it turn out as a practical alternative for those interested in spatial computing without the drawbacks of a headset ?
Sightful’s Innovation
The Spacetop G1 reimagines the laptop by combining it with lightweight AR glasses. With all the processing power housed in the laptop’s base. This clever design not only ensures comfort but also maintains the usability of traditional laptops, utilizing trackpads and keyboard shortcuts for familiarity.
Sightful’s Spacetop G1 has been in early access for the past year. After numerous refinements, it’s now ready for pre-order. The AR glasses, created in collaboration with Xreal, offer augmented reality without the discomfort of prolonged headset use. This makes the Spacetop G1 a great choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike. It allows users to explore the potential of spatial computing without sacrificing comfort or productivity.
Quite different or is it ?
The Spacetop G1 is not just an AR laptop; it’s a seamless blend of familiar productivity tools with the expansive potential of augmented reality.
Unlike most AR/VR headsets aimed at entertainment, the Spacetop G1 focuses on productivity. Just pop on the glasses, and multiple virtual screens appear before you, ready for work. With a massive 100-inch virtual workspace, you can effortlessly multitask, edit videos, or browse the web on a screen that feels like a home theater. This unique format means there’s little to no learning curve.Designed for portability, the AR Laptop is slim and lightweight, easily fitting into a backpack. The keyboard and trackpad are as thin as those on conventional laptops, and the AR glasses fold down neatly, making them less bulky and more comfortable than devices like the Vision Pro. Importantly, the glasses let you see your surroundings, so you’re not cut off from the world around you.
Quite literally it redefines how we work with AR. While AR/VR might be the future, current headsets aren’t ideal for long-term use. The Spacetop G1 changes the game by replacing the traditional laptop display with a set of AR glasses. Slip them on, and you’re looking at a screen wider than your field of vision. Plus, it retains a keyboard and trackpad, so you get the familiar feel of a laptop, but in augmented reality.
Specs
One of the Spacetop G1’s standout features is its ability to connect to external monitors via two USB-C ports. This means you can use a regular monitor at the office and then switch to the AR setup on the go. It’s perfect for workaholics who need a consistent workspace, whether they’re in the office or on a plane. The device supports WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, SIM cards, and 5G/4G, ensuring you stay connected wherever you are. However, with an 8-hour battery life, it’s best suited for domestic flights.The Spacetop G1 runs on a proprietary OS based on ChromiumOS, designed for navigation via gestures. While it doesn’t support every app, it works well with Google’s suite of productivity tools. Testers have described the OS as “Android-like,” highlighting its ease of use despite its limitations. The device also includes a built-in 5MP camera for video calls, adding to its versatility.
Under the hood, the Spacetop G1 is efficient, offering a 70% performance boost over previous models. The 90Hz refresh rate ensures crisp and responsive visuals, making the 100-inch virtual workspace truly immersive. You can multitask effortlessly, arranging multiple windows within your field of view, moving them around as needed. Important tasks can take center stage, while less critical ones linger in the background, ready when you need them. Although The Spacetop G1 might not be the fastest device out there, but it’s built for work, not play. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon QCS8550 processor, it comes with 16GB of RAM and 128GB of storage—plenty for productivity tasks. They also include Xreal’s 6W open-ear speaker system, promising decent audio quality.
There’s a catch
With SpaceOS, the Spacetop G1 offers a 100-inch private canvas for your apps and web browser windows but thats not entirely true. You can’t see the entire canvas at once due to the device’s 50-degree field of view, and this is intentional? “We’re actually reducing your field of view slightly,” says Sightful CEO Tamir Berliner. He explains that only a small part of our vision is in high resolution, with the rest being mostly blurry. The Spacetop G1’s glasses cover this high-resolution zone and blur the edges to avoid the feeling of being “stuck in a square.” This approach makes the viewing experience more natural and less constrained.
Much like Apple’s Vision Pro, the Spacetop G1 remembers where you place your windows, even when you put the device to sleep. This spatial memory helps you feel more organized and oriented, knowing exactly where your apps are. Gestures allow you to bring a window into view with a swipe or get a bird’s-eye view of all your windows, making navigation intuitive and your hands free from traditional computer constraints.
Then there’s the price
Shipments begin in October 2024, and early adopters can reserve their unit with a $100 deposit. While it lacks a physical display, its cost reflects its advanced technology, considering its AR capabilities, the price becomes more justifiable. For $1,900, you’re investing in a cutting-edge AR experience that traditional laptops can’t match. Compared to the Vision Pro, which costs a whopping $3,499, the Spacetop G1 starts to look like a bargain. But the Sightful’s innovation isn’t cheap it’s significantly higher than a conventional laptop.
Instead of spending extra on a laptop plus a widescreen or multiscreen setup, the Spacetop G1 combines both in one device. But you could get a new MacBook Air or a Copilot+ PC and a pair of AR glasses for around $1,400. Still the seamless integration and innovative design of the Spacetop G1 offer a unique value proposition worth considering. Isn’t it!
