$1,700 'Spacetop' Laptop Uses AR Glasses Instead of a Display

[MacRumors]

The Apple Vision Pro can be used as a display for a connected Mac, but it is bulky, heavy, and uncomfortable. The Spacetop G1, a new laptop from former Magic Leap employees, promises to solve those problems by pairing a computer with a set of lightweight AR glasses that look more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Priced at $1,700, Spacetop is basically a keyboard with an attached set of glasses. There is no display, but there is a top case that the glasses can be stored in when the device is not in use. Videos featuring the device show users typing on the keyboard while viewing a set of AR windows that are placed around them.

The Spacetop runs SpaceOS, which the company says is a spatial operating system built for productivity. It focuses on web tasks, which provides content without the company having to recruit developers to build apps.

The AR glasses weigh in at 85 grams, while the Vision Pro weighs between 600 and 650 grams depending on the attached Light Seal. The keyboard is just under 12 inches wide, and the whole setup weighs three pounds, which is heavier than a MacBook Air or iPad Pro.

It includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon QCS8550 chip, 128GB storage, 16GB RAM, and two open-ear speakers. There are two USB-C ports on the keyboard component that allow it to be connected to a traditional external display, and the battery lasts for up to eight hours. The glasses are equipped with two OLED display panels with a 1920x1080 resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, and custom prescription lenses are supported.

The Spacetop G1 will retail for $1,900, but those who reserve it early can get a $200 discount, dropping the price to $1,700. A machine can be reserved for a $100 refundable deposit, and it is expected to start shipping in October 2024.

Article Link: $1,700 'Spacetop' Laptop Uses AR Glasses Instead of a Display

 

[antiprotest]

Not for me, but make it $1200-1400, at least 256GB, a bit lighter, and it's more practical for most people than Vision Pro.

 

[dcjames]

Who would buy this for $2k, vs just picking up some Viture glasses to use with their existing MBA/MBP? It seems like a solution in search of a problem.

 

[nfl46]

That’s cute and all but when this thing is available and in the hands of customers, let me know. They all talk a nice game and announce these type of devices but yet it’s never released. Let’s see if that October 2024 date holds.

 

[mfram]

Looks sorta like a Chromebook with a glasses instead of a screen. The "SpaceOS" mentions web apps. If it's going to primarily be a portal for web apps, you don't need a huge powerful machine on your lap. Even less sophisticated than an iPad.

Also, the specs say 5G data is built-in. That's a nice bonus.

 

[truthsteve]

no thanks.

I have the xreal glasses. the fov is extremely narrow to the point where any movement of the head crops your browser.

that form factor is trash

 

[GrayFlannel]

Another swing and a miss.

 

[dlewis23]

I'll pass. Needs some work.

 

[nutmac]

The glasses look very goofy, even when worn by these models.

And not sure anyone would use their proprietary Linux based OS.

 

[Bodhitree]

It’s not a bad idea… a headless laptop with glasses for the display allows you to get 80% of the Vision Pro experience with a lot less technical hassle and a better solution to typing than an on-screen keyboard.

If Microsoft had done this with a Surface device and run Windows on it, it would have been a serious play.

 

[Onimusha370]

1920x1080 is going to look truly awful

 

[alchemistmuffin]

The Spacetop runs SpaceOS, which the company says is a spatial operating system built for productivity. It focuses on web tasks, which provides content without the company having to recruit developers to build apps.

Yep it’s dead on arrival. If it’s not running at least Windows, it won’t matter. People wanting this laptop for productivity will want a decent OS, and their own custom OS wont cut it.

 

[aUniqueName]

I think this is what Apple will have to do if they ever want to make AR Glasses (and ive been waiting for them to do it since Google Glasses came out years ago) -They just need to use the iPhone's processor and wirelessly transmit the display to the glasses. They were trying to figure out how to put M chips into the glasses and this is wrong until they get down well below 1nm. Just use the iPhone for the hard work and wirelessly send the display to the glasses. They could probably have this running now with current technology. Especially since you see someone else already did it.

 

[Harvey Zoltan]

Small thing but that cutout the glasses sit in looks terrible.

 

[wikiverse]

It’s not a bad idea…

It's a terrible idea. That's why VR headsets are a niche product. It's trying to create a solution for a problem that people don't actually experience.

At home, people want the comfort of not having to wear a computer. In an office, people don't want hours of eye strain and often need to share their screen with others. No one wants to be tethered to their desk, or to batteries.

These products aren't even more portable than a laptop or an iPad since you're having to carry the keyboard/batteries/computer around with you anyway, plus a case and charger for the glasses/headset. The VisionPro is significantly less portable than an iPad or MacBook, and chances are you're going to have at least one of those things with you anyway.

And people will always need a back-up screen for when the glasses/headset are charging (most likely in a case), so you'll always have that with you as well.

The level of demand for giant desktop screens in economy class so that people can work while flying has been greatly exaggerated.

 

[imamacperson]

Well it's not April 1st so it must be real.

 

[Dammit Cubs]

You can buy the glasses (from another company, same specs) for 399. I just do that and connect to my iphone to watch movies on planes.

Unless they fixed the field of view and locked the axis, this will feel tunnel-vision if you use as a laptop. Also the display moves with your head movement so it can make people sick.

 

[coffeemilktea]

The Spacetop G1 will retail for $1,900, but those who reserve it early can get a $200 discount, dropping the price to $1,700.

For that money, I think I'd rather just buy three 4k displays, hook them up to my MacBook Pro, and turn my head side to side like a peasant if I need to see all around. 🤪

 

[Burnincoco]

wake me up when I can iNject video directly to my brain

 

[JosephAW]

We’re still 10 years away from Tony Stark, but it looks like we’re making progress.

 

[spaxxedout]

I get nobody likes the Vision Pro, but “the first spatial OS designed for productivity” is simply incorrect.

 

[anthogag]

Vision Pro seems to be much better. Only the lighter weight of the Spacetop glasses scores some points.

I don't use a laptop, too boring. Laptop users would like this. The fingers move a little bit and the head can be still burning 5 or 10 calories per hour.

 

[maxoakland]

That's certainly an interesting idea! Seems more interesting than the vision pro

 

[Jensend]

1920x1080 is going to look truly awful

It may actually be higher PPD than the Vision Pro. But that's due to the low FOV, and that's a big issue.

 

[jz0309]

SpaceOS? Web based productivity? No apps? Ok, wish you guys luck selling these…