I tried this with the Viture Pro XR glasses last year and it sucks. Can't use it with Linux, except in dumb monitor mode. No head tracking unless you're using a supported OS. Android app sucks becaus you can't use it with any old app, eg productivity apps (their app is like a demo of head tracking that only supports stuff like YouTube and local media). Maybe I should have purchased the Xreals?
I've been doing this a few months now with an xreal one and minisforum um790.<p>Same ability to power via usb-C and have other ports available.<p>It's worked very well, the 1920x1080 resoultion of the glasses is pretty clear but I find "anchoring" the screen to be most usable because the edges do get a little blurry, but with the screen anchored you can just "look around" a little to bring them into focus.<p>The biggest drawback is the resolution. While still very sharp and clear, it's tough going from a framework laptop 2256x1504 to 1920x1080.<p>I'm just used to everything being a little smaller and being able to fit more info into my FoV vs having to look around a "larger" screen for it.
AR glasses brings great accessibility improvements, especially those who are bedridden; I wrote the need-gap for wearable low latency computer displays[1] ~6 years ago when I was in bed recovering from a spinal fusion surgery as the only option available to me were those unwieldy bed mounts for monitors and it requires help from others to adjust the angles.<p>[1] <a href="https://needgap.com/problems/16-wearable-low-latency-display-for-computers-display-wearables" rel="nofollow">https://needgap.com/problems/16-wearable-low-latency-display...</a>
I got excided looking at this hoping there was a laptop with out a screen. I'm totally blind so the power draw of a screen is pointless. I currently use my ROG Alli with a Bluetooth keyboard to connect to my more powerful laptop which has a keyboard that's going bad. While this setup works well and the battery life is pretty good it would be much nicer if I didn't have to put a keyboard on my lap, and the Alli on a table. At least the Alli doesn't need to be somewhere where I can look at it.
Sounds like sponsored content. Every other review I have read people say they go back to laptop because the text fidelity, eye strain and keyboard on lap is just the best productivity setup
The Xreal is a nice device. I got the first gen for $199. I'm able to plug this into the MacBook pro and watch Netflix in bed. The fonts do look a bit blurry and small. I don't think I can work with it full time. I don't have myopia (or my number is small to notice).
How good are actual VR headsets at being virtual desktop screens? Specifically I've been interested in the Bigscreen Beyond 2 due to its extreme lightweight, but most people seem to use them for gaming instead of doing work. I want more screens (or, even better, an infinite screen) but I don't have the desk space for them. I know the Vision Pro sort of does this but I need the full power of my maxed out MacBook Pro, the Vision Pro is too heavy, and it's way too expensive.
This is how I use my Framework laptop around 80% of the time. So much so that I wish I could just detach the screen (and re-attach it easily).<p>I have the xreal air 1, and have the xreal one's on order, they seem to be the leader in this space with their on-glasses processing for "anchor" mode.<p>I got these primarily to start gaming, but really, I just use the one hour of downtime before bed to do side projects (usually coding) while laying down, and it's been great. And the spouse does not complain about the bright screen.<p>Another advantage is that the muscles around my elbows are a lot less sore, as a laptop really isn't ergonomic to stare down into, unless you build one with a much taller screen [1].<p>[1] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIm6Dhxn3Ak" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIm6Dhxn3Ak</a>
I don't understand. Is this an ad?<p>How long this setup lasts on a single charge? For half the price, one can get a macbook air with fantastic battery life and a good keyboard.
I've been doing something similar for the past couple years for several different modes of working:<p>1) In my campervan with Starlink internet so I don't need to set up additional screens<p>2) Cafes and co-working spaces when I don't mind looking like a huge dork<p>3) Out at trailheads/crags when I don't mind looking like an even huger dork<p>Some notes:<p>- Pocketable PC or laptop works, but Samsung phone with DEX is really the move since you don't need to tether or anything, just plug in, use Termux to SSH to your dev box (my beefy home rig over Tailscale usually) and go.<p>- Power demands aren't insane, phone battery is good for a few hours. Wireless charger or power splitter necessary for more.<p>- One-handed chording keyboard (I'm up to about 50wpm on a Twiddler) makes working in a terminal pretty straightforward. You can use the phone's screen as a mouse with this setup.<p>- The new XReal glasses with built-in chip are great. Pros drop soon, should be better. With Vitures or other glasses where the display is fixed, terminal work is still do-able if you're proficient with tmux or similar.<p>- Downside of the new integrated chip glasses is outdoor usability. They got hot in direct sun, and leak more light.<p>- You do look really weird using these in public since you're wearing dark glasses indoors looking around. I don't let it deter me from getting my work done but yeah, just be warned.<p>I've done week-long bikepacking trips taking only my phone, twiddler, XReals, and small solar panel. As long as I can hit cell for a couple hours a day I can still keep things moving with my consulting clients. I usually do this just sitting up against a tree wherever I got good signal.<p>Starlink mini seems like it would add more freedom to this (I like remote singletrack) but it's too heavy and power-hungry for leg or bike based trips still. We're about to try a rafting trip with a couple other outdoor-oriented digital nomads and a Starlink this season though!
Fwiw, the /r/ergomobilecomputers tracks a number of these setups involving xreal glasses: <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMobileComputers/search/?q=xreal" rel="nofollow">https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMobileComputers/search/?q=xreal</a> .<p>Hasn't been my cup of tea but seems tempting if one has specific ergonomic needs like supine computing. There was one post of someone using them to juggle getting computer work done while handling childcare (endorsing such a thing likely depends a lot on context).
Having nreal air. It is so freaking inconvenient to wear for longer that every time I see someone posting how they replaced regular screen with ar glasses or vr (yes, tried also Quest 2) I laugh HARD!
It‘s sad to read through this article on Tom‘s that<p>a) awfully reads like an ad and<p>b) manages not to mention the screen resolution of AR glasses used as a desktop replacement!
I believe I have been more efficient with the Epson Moverio (1280x720, black-transparent OLED, Android, 5hrs battery, palm-sized processing unit with buttons and trackpad). Put the glasses on, the processing unit in a pocket (thumb on the controls), and you can walk around processing data overlaid to the scenery.<p>But, like all tools, they are optimal for some tasks and inefficient for others. I never had the time to try and implement text-to speech, to overcome the absence of a practical keyboard (the on-screen one can only be an emergency tool) - with that, the system would have been much more flexible.
Going to try this. Gentoo desktop at home but have a few solid months of business travel coming up and need hardware I can rely on. Went to the Apple store recently and was shocked they try to sell Macbooks with screens with a chunk out of them... what? I asked the salesperson and they said it's been this way for 2-3 years. Shows how much of a rock I live under, but gee Steve Jobs is surely glitching in his grave!<p>Looked seriously at framework but too slow and expensive here in Oz.<p>Nobody else seems to have decent ARM mini PC hardware. Therefore despite a strong distate for Apple I'm looking at Mac Mini + glasses (for flights) + bluetooth input + portable screen / 27K mAh 140W USB powerbank (for occasional mobile use). Hidden in a backpack I think it'll be a better roaming experience than a laptop (more keyboard choice, larger screen, screen position flexible, improved ergonomics) for a fraction of the Macbook (much less Apple vision!) price. Also, unlike a modern Macbook the IO devices and power bank can be upgraded and Asahi Linux will eventually run well on the things, which lends an air of potential longevity.<p>Final cost: Mini (24GB) @ USD$940 + 24k mAh USB powerbank @ USD$69 + 18" 2.5K screen @ USD$239 + VITURE Pro XR/AR @ USD$470 = $1718. Ordered some different input options, basically will be under $150 depending what I don't send back. So definitely under $1850. Entry level Macbook Pro with non-square screen, no glasses, lower specs, smaller fixed screen, annoying keyboard, zero repairability is $2500. I'll put the extra $650 toward upgrades later.
How can the xreal one glasses be 3Dof and stay in place while this guy is moving forward and backwards in his chair?<p><a href="https://us.shop.xreal.com/cdn/shop/videos/c/vp/bc70020e90a74871b14172454b0757d9/bc70020e90a74871b14172454b0757d9.HD-1080p-3.3Mbps-39117806.mp4?v=0" rel="nofollow">https://us.shop.xreal.com/cdn/shop/videos/c/vp/bc70020e90a74...</a>
<a href="https://us.shop.xreal.com/cdn/shop/videos/c/vp/a2b82ae2ea71479589604362d594b1b5/a2b82ae2ea71479589604362d594b1b5.HD-1080p-3.3Mbps-39117809.mp4?v=0" rel="nofollow">https://us.shop.xreal.com/cdn/shop/videos/c/vp/a2b82ae2ea714...</a><p>I appreciate its a marketing video, but this is just a lie, no?<p>What is the actual supported input resolution of the display? How do virtual monitors work - are they just a composite screen that needs to fit in that max input resolution, or is there some virtual viewport that is being managed by the connected device?<p>There is so little information about these on the website, and the few reviews I can find are basically people who got them for free (youtube is seemingly full of these right now) and clearly don't use multi-monitor setups to any great extent.
Seems like the thing that actually makes this all work is the built in battery on the mini PC. Without it, accidentally unplugging the power bank would be a big problem.
I've seen a couple of this kinds of setups online and I'm intrigued, as I'm just done with the laptop form factor, but I don't think this is it.<p>I see the appeal of the XR glasses for immersion and monitor real state, but if you wanted to be outside and went to a coffee shop... I woudldn't cover my eyes and immerse myself totally on the computer; for starters, I wouldn't feel safe. Also, I don't think anyone would also wear headphones with that in a public place, so I hope you don't get a particularly chatty group on the next table over...<p>There's many situations where I want to look at a display but I don't want to cover my eyes.<p>On the other hand, this kind of on-the-go-but-with-a-desktop-pc only works with glasses. Some have tried it with a portable display and it seems like way too much fussiness to set up and carry.<p>I doubt this guy actually ditched his laptop. He did an experiment for content (nothing wrong with that) and I reckon he'll be back on a laptop sooner rather than later.
I like the setup, have it in mind for XReal Pro but not convinced.<p>1. The FoV is limited, it's cool on the go but won't replace my Odyssey Ark 55
2. The CPU/GPU is limited, so why not simply using your Phone + XReal ?
3. All your meeting with Team/Zoom/Meet won't works<p>So yes if your task are surfing the web, using office app it should works until an AI do your job ;-) But if you are working ... Photoshop, Davinci Resolve, Advanced Coding, 3D Building, ...
Can AR glasses be used as <i>just</i> a monitor? I am under the impression that they are sort of <i>smart</i> devices. How do they get a video signal from the computer?
Where AR glasses realy shine is when used with Samsung Dex.
I have been traveling with my XReal Air 2 Pro plugged into my Samsung Galaxy S23 (in m picket) connected to a Bluetooth mouse and foldable keyboard. It packs into a poutch. It is definitely not usable for long (eye strain, blurred edges) but enables me to get some work done on the go ( editing, email, spreadsheets, etc.. )
The thing with a laptop or tablet is that setup time id nearly nothing, so just kicking back in the couch or anywhere you can quickly reply to an email or do some work. this setup requires sitting down at a table or desk. this little overhead will create enough of a barrier that you wont actually do it unless you plan on doing some serious work. So that makes this at best a desktop replacement.
Cool that they are shipping. I’ve had my eyes on the Visor for a long time now. They seem like the best solution but haven’t shipped yet. Not knocking them but it appears they are in production hell.
If there is anyone that’s gotten their hands on a pair, would be curious to know how it stacks up to xreal.
The keyboard is the real issue for me. Sure they make the laser protected ones, but they just feel weird (not to mention pricey). Maybe the super thin folding/rolling ones are OK. But why not a phone or a laptop? What use case does this really solve?
I love the creativity, but for me? If I forget one cable, the whole mission falls apart and I'm back to scribbling in a notebook like it's 1995.
tried this before. great for videos, images but fonts were hard to read and edges were blurred. i concluded it wasnt conducive for work so i decided to sell it and stick with my laptop
I thought it would be a mini laptop like these:<p><a href="https://gpdstore.net/product-category/gpd-mini-laptop/" rel="nofollow">https://gpdstore.net/product-category/gpd-mini-laptop/</a><p>But no, he carries around a little Nuc style machine and a full, separate keyboard and charger. It's cool and all, but there's no way this whole jumble would fit in a pocket or be convenient to use on the go.
I do this occasionally, and have done for years. On earlier or lower resolution headsets with Fresnel lenses, it does force you to look at a screen slightly differently - everything has to be a bit larger, you have to move your head/eyes a bit more to deal with blurry edges.<p>Pancake lens devices like quest pro is fine though. I tend to favour one large virtual screen in vr though, whereas in real life, I prefer one large and one portrait second monitor. Being able to touchtype is useful.<p>Haven't tried virtual desktop recently, but immersedvr has always been the best work vr app, unfortunately. I say unfortunately because the company is a bit of a joke. They are a case study in everything wrong with silicon valley tech over the past decade. Name a shitty money making buzzword, and they've pivoted towards it and failed at it.