I want the Mac experience without the Mac. Should be possible with the built-in Wi-Fi and M2 chip. Imagine having a giant screen on a plane or in a hotel room. But I guess Apple doesn't want that.
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Your Mac and Apple Vision Pro: What You Can Do (and What You Can't)
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I’m with you. But… can I imagine wearing a headset for the majority of the work day? Maybe I’m thinking too far ahead and maybe v2 or 3, but it will need to be light and very comfortable. And not be too isolating (which I think Apple may have right already).
Apple will do anything except put a touch screen on the Mac.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
For my purposes, THIS is the killer app, as relatively simple as it is vs. the great stack of potentials of high resolution VR/AR.
All one needs to do is switch from a large, expansive Mac screen to a relatively tiny 16" or smaller and miss the larger screen R.E. to want a remedy. That remedy is NOT building even bigger laptops, or laptops with screens that fold out... or roll out. For most of those options, it would add a LOT of weight. This doesn't. I envision a new kind of laptop usage here: laptop + Vpro in the bag... and maybe a lidless MB and Vpro in the bag.
And like laptop screens, this is an any-size screen you can summon to use wherever you happen to be. In my case, a major use will be on long flights where cramped seating spaces sometimes doesn't even allow for a laptop to be used in the normal way (can't fully open it at the normal angle to use it).
Bummer that one can't summon multiple Mac screens in the overall view. However, since it is projecting ONE Mac screen and since Mac easily manages multiple screens in Spaces, leave the heavy lifting to Spaces by opening any number of Mac apps across any number of Spaces and then switching to alt Spaces when you want access to those other running apps in the Vpro view. You can basically fake this right now by air-playing a Mac through AppleTV to your big-screen TV. Open up any number of Spaces, run Mac apps in those Spaces and then switch to them via Mission Control as desired. That same thing should work the same way with Vpro (minus the AppleTV need).
Very common apps that I will want to use WITH some Mac apps are Mail, Safari and Messages. Since those are native apps that work fine on iPad, they WILL float next to the one Mac screen. So instead of running them on Mac or on a Mac Space, I'll run the iPad/Vpro versions of them and float them around this Mac screen, switching to and using them as desired and then back to the main workspace. The whole Mac virtual canvas could be owned by some key Mac app while collaboration via texts or email can be flowing around that view... and/or research via web can be done in Safari floating around the view... and/or copy could be polished in the Vpro version of Pages... or calculations fleshed out in the Vpro version of Numbers, etc.
Everyone who wishes for a MB 17" or MB 18" or MB 20" can get a variation of that want met here... along with a MB 24", MB 27", MB 30", MB 40", MB 50", etc. Anyone who has flown and watched the movie on any puny screen (phone, iPad, laptop) and wished they could watch it on a bigger screen, can basically have their biggest big (TV-sized) screen with them in that small seating space too, able to deliver video via this headset, like delivering music in the same setting via headphones.
Since my flights are often LONG ones and 2 hour battery life will not outlast the flight, I anticipate resolving that issue the same way I resolved the very same battery life with my original Powerbook G4: I'll buy & carry a couple of battery packs. If there is a socket on the plane, I'll use it. If not, spare battery packs will make it work until a G4 evolves into an Intel or Silicon (battery life) MB in future versions. My guess is OWC-type players will offer third-party, improved batteries soon after this thing is in the wild.
If it does this one thing really well- that is, it delivers a sharp, super-sized Mac screen for all those situations where having access to an actual larger screen can't work (which is pretty much all situations where I'm using a MB), that's good enough for me, regardless of what else it is able to do. Several of the cheapie, low-resolution ones can already do this at so-so virtual screen quality. Hopefully, 4K-per-eye delivers an outstanding Apple screen quality.
Make no mistake: I do NOT see this as a REPLACEMENT for desktop screens where Vpro becomes my ONLY screen. So all of the collaboration around a screen, etc, issues still get facilitated in traditional setups. However, in all those solo use of laptop scenarios where it's just me hammering out some project, much more screen R.E. will be extraordinarily welcomed. I feel far more productive on my 40" desktop screen than any 16" MB screen. I'm hoping this allows a 40" (or larger) virtual screen to easily go with me when I'm away from desktop settings. No way to easily accomplish that in actual reality (no easily carrying a 40" desktop screen around, balancing it on a tray table, powering it on the airplane, etc). But Vpro will apparently make this easy to do in a relatively light-weight, portable package in the same laptop bag.
All one needs to do is switch from a large, expansive Mac screen to a relatively tiny 16" or smaller and miss the larger screen R.E. to want a remedy. That remedy is NOT building even bigger laptops, or laptops with screens that fold out... or roll out. For most of those options, it would add a LOT of weight. This doesn't. I envision a new kind of laptop usage here: laptop + Vpro in the bag... and maybe a lidless MB and Vpro in the bag.
And like laptop screens, this is an any-size screen you can summon to use wherever you happen to be. In my case, a major use will be on long flights where cramped seating spaces sometimes doesn't even allow for a laptop to be used in the normal way (can't fully open it at the normal angle to use it).
Bummer that one can't summon multiple Mac screens in the overall view. However, since it is projecting ONE Mac screen and since Mac easily manages multiple screens in Spaces, leave the heavy lifting to Spaces by opening any number of Mac apps across any number of Spaces and then switching to alt Spaces when you want access to those other running apps in the Vpro view. You can basically fake this right now by air-playing a Mac through AppleTV to your big-screen TV. Open up any number of Spaces, run Mac apps in those Spaces and then switch to them via Mission Control as desired. That same thing should work the same way with Vpro (minus the AppleTV need).
Very common apps that I will want to use WITH some Mac apps are Mail, Safari and Messages. Since those are native apps that work fine on iPad, they WILL float next to the one Mac screen. So instead of running them on Mac or on a Mac Space, I'll run the iPad/Vpro versions of them and float them around this Mac screen, switching to and using them as desired and then back to the main workspace. The whole Mac virtual canvas could be owned by some key Mac app while collaboration via texts or email can be flowing around that view... and/or research via web can be done in Safari floating around the view... and/or copy could be polished in the Vpro version of Pages... or calculations fleshed out in the Vpro version of Numbers, etc.
Everyone who wishes for a MB 17" or MB 18" or MB 20" can get a variation of that want met here... along with a MB 24", MB 27", MB 30", MB 40", MB 50", etc. Anyone who has flown and watched the movie on any puny screen (phone, iPad, laptop) and wished they could watch it on a bigger screen, can basically have their biggest big (TV-sized) screen with them in that small seating space too, able to deliver video via this headset, like delivering music in the same setting via headphones.
Since my flights are often LONG ones and 2 hour battery life will not outlast the flight, I anticipate resolving that issue the same way I resolved the very same battery life with my original Powerbook G4: I'll buy & carry a couple of battery packs. If there is a socket on the plane, I'll use it. If not, spare battery packs will make it work until a G4 evolves into an Intel or Silicon (battery life) MB in future versions. My guess is OWC-type players will offer third-party, improved batteries soon after this thing is in the wild.
If it does this one thing really well- that is, it delivers a sharp, super-sized Mac screen for all those situations where having access to an actual larger screen can't work (which is pretty much all situations where I'm using a MB), that's good enough for me, regardless of what else it is able to do. Several of the cheapie, low-resolution ones can already do this at so-so virtual screen quality. Hopefully, 4K-per-eye delivers an outstanding Apple screen quality.
Make no mistake: I do NOT see this as a REPLACEMENT for desktop screens where Vpro becomes my ONLY screen. So all of the collaboration around a screen, etc, issues still get facilitated in traditional setups. However, in all those solo use of laptop scenarios where it's just me hammering out some project, much more screen R.E. will be extraordinarily welcomed. I feel far more productive on my 40" desktop screen than any 16" MB screen. I'm hoping this allows a 40" (or larger) virtual screen to easily go with me when I'm away from desktop settings. No way to easily accomplish that in actual reality (no easily carrying a 40" desktop screen around, balancing it on a tray table, powering it on the airplane, etc). But Vpro will apparently make this easy to do in a relatively light-weight, portable package in the same laptop bag.
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It's VisionOS, running IOS apps. When was that ever in doubt? That said, you can run a giant screen on a plane or in a hotel room. Multiple screens running mulitiple apps.
Also very confused by this. Initially I thought that would be a great selling point. Basically create a multi monitor setup without actually have the monitors. Sure working in spaces on a larger screen is convenient, but still not the same as "multiple monitors" unless the virtual display is a giant screen where you can have multiple tabs visible side by side. If the screen is just a giant version with the same visibility as the Mac, that's not good.
Good input for this discussion! Thanks! /s
Things I want to know as a VR user (Pico 4/ PS VR2):
1. Tethered use - how much of a hindrance are the cables and the battery?
2. Untethered use - how long is the battery life when using it to do actual work?
3. How bad is the ‘VR Head syndrome’? You know it if you regularly use VR headsets: red face, head-in-a-box sweat, disorientation, headache due to the pressure of the head bands etc.
4. How often is it more useful to wear a headset and have virtual screens, than to buy a bunch of actual displays?
5. how realistic and useful is the AR in interacting with the real world? The ‘butterfly on your finger’ trick is darn impressive, but what can you do with it when working? What is the use case that will make you want to put this thing on again and again?
6. How big will AR/VR gaming be on the AVP?
7. Will developers flock to the AVP and create HQ content, or will they only port the Meta hits?
It shouldn't actually be so difficult to "explode" the Mac apps into the virtual space, that is, to switch out the 2D desktop "space" with the AR 3D space (like a 3D version of Stage Manager). They'd probably have to extend the AirPlay protocol for that, but still it's a bit surprising they went with just basic screen mirroring. I guess they really want people to buy AVP apps on the app store instead.
So it's basically just a large virtual screen (or multiple screens), I don't get what's different than existing devices other than specs and finish. I'd rather have a dedicated AR/virtual screen device, many which have been announced and are approaching the size, comfort, and weight of regular glasses, and maybe have a dedicated VR device for when I need VR functionality.
Actually Apples pricing model has made other manufactures also increase prices to match. So you end up with little choice if you want a decent phone, all thanks to Apple, they were the first to push pricing to 1000 too. And the first iPhone wasn't popular in all countries.
I always read my kindle on flights, or nap. Flights are a chance to be disconnected!
Feels like we are just arguing in circles.
Sure, when I am at home, I may prefer an external display which doesn't hang off my head.
But a monitor also cannot be fit inside my bag, nor would it be as easy to bring around. Like if MKBHD is in another country, this looks like something that would be useful when he is editing videos in his hotel room.
Nothing wrong with having both, and opting to use the right tool for the job at the right time. The best tool is the one you have on you.
This is where it gets good! One virtual monitor for a mac should be fine as a start. Meta Quest allows three virtual Mac monitors right now and more with other multi monitor solutions. It certainly works but it is not "Apple smooth" in places. I wonder if Apple will allow third party expansion here. How well this meets any users needs will be workflow specific and will depend on the quality and availability of the native apps. My guess is that with the stock config you will be able to accomodate most pro workflows.
So Stoked!
So Stoked!
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Um, the XDR display is $5k sans stand.
However, we do not know (do we?) the contrast ratio of the AVP yet.
I made an edit. Another big gripe is that it's not cross-compatible. If I could live in an all Mac world, I would, but I don't, and can't. My job/company/field (healthcare) is all PC.
There are a group of people on MacRumors whose purpose seems to be "arguing in circles" over a product they've told us for months they have no interest in.
How is this a "big gripe?"
It's as cross-compatible as an iPad. Has that ever been in question? Now you're just making things up to add more and more negative posts about the AVP.
How is this a "big gripe?"
I agree that it is, but this is why it's not a monitor replacement.
It's not been a question, but has been a complaint! The single-user experience kinda sucks, too.
Good thing nothing is forcing you to do anything different than you already do.
It's a monitor replacement for many, many uses. But I know you understand that.
You can plug the headset in and use it that way. There's no way Apple limits it to battery only.
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People are still arguing the existence of the iPad Pro and the Apple Watch. Being in the MR forums is entertaining. Besides, our friends and family don’t want to argue about this stuff with us.