Since extended reality entered the enterprise, many leaders have been speculating about a future where wearables will replace the computer system. However, Sightful, a revolutionary technology company, is the first to bring this idea to life.
Back in 2023, the company began stealthily experimenting with its first version of an AR laptop, offered as an early-access product to a handful of beta testers. Now, the Spacetop G1 is officially available to reserve, and should begin shipping later this year.
So, what can we expect from this revolutionary, screen-free laptop?
Quick Verdict: Pros and Cons
The Sightful Spacetop G1 is a lightweight, relatively robust, and convenient tool for the future of work. While it doesn’t have the processing power or memory of some modern laptops, it offers a unique experience that could significantly boost your productivity wherever you are.
Pros:
- Extraordinarily ergonomic and comfortable experience
- Excellent range of applications for work
- Intuitive proprietary operating system
- Built-in AI and machine learning
- Bright, clear images from XReal’s specs
Cons:
- The glasses are hardwired to the laptop
- May not be suitable for high-demand tasks
What is the Sightful Spacetop G1?
The Sightful Spacetop G1 is the refined version of Sightful’s first (early-access) AR laptop. It’s a screenless device that combines a set of augmented reality smart glasses (designed by XReal) with a proprietary operating system and keyboard.
According to the company, the laptop was designed to “free the laptop industry from screens.” Its slim, lightweight form factor makes it a solution designed for portability. Plus, unlike a standard laptop, it allows you to interact with a screen up to 100 inches in size.
Notably, Sightful used the initial early-access release of its product to refine the system, implementing new features, such as an upgraded battery life (7 hours), faster Qualcomm chipset, and an impressive 90hz optics refresh rate. Plus, the solution now comes with:
- Spacetop Live stream: A collaborative solution allowing users to share their workspace’s first-person views with colleagues via QR code or URL.
- New native web apps: Spacetop provides direct access to various popular apps for immersive collaboration, such as Windows 365, Notion, and Figma.
- Travel motion tracking: A stabilization mode allows you to maintain stability and comfort on the move.
Sightful Spacetop G1: The Specs
At a glance, the Sightful Spacetop might seem a little “gimmicky,” but it’s packed with features that could make it a valuable tool for the future of work. At $1,900, it’s not a cheap investment, but it does offer a glimpse at what a “screen-free” future might look like.
Let’s take a quick look at the specs:
Price $1,900
GPU Adreno 740
OS SpaceOS
CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon QCS8550
Storage 128GB
Webcam 5MB
Virtual screen 100 inches
Connectivity 5G, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi 7
Memory 16GB
Weight 3.08lbs (computer), 0.18lbs (glasses)
The First AR Laptop: Design
The Sightful Spacetop initially reminded me of the “plug-in” keyboards you used to be able to get for your tablet, though it’s a little chunkier. At a glance, it looks like someone has snapped a laptop in half and added a flexible cover to the top of the keyboard.
However, there’s more to the cover than meets the eye. It’s the part of the system that stores your XReal AR glasses, where you’ll find the device’s built-in webcam.
While the overall design includes some bulky parts, the G1 is relatively slim and lightweight. It can fit well into most backpacks, but thanks to the eyeglasses, it probably won’t fit into a laptop sleeve.
I noticed that you can’t just “remove” the glasses from your laptop and use them elsewhere. So, if you’re looking to save some cash on a laptop and a flexible pair of smart glasses by buying them together, you’re out of luck.
The AR Glasses: Comfort and Design
The glasses themselves look pretty similar to most modern XReal specs, with a sleek design similar to a standard set of eyeglasses. Of course, they are a little bulkier than regular specs and hardwired to your laptop. However, they’re lightweight, comfortable, and relatively easy to use for long periods.
If you’ve tested XReal glasses before, you’ll get a very similar experience, although it’s worth noting that XReal has specifically designed these glasses for SpaceOS and the Spacetop.
Sightful Spacetop: The Display
The most exciting thing about the Sightful Spacetop G1 is that there is no traditional “display” on the laptop. The screen has been entirely replaced with a pair of XReal glasses, specially designed for Sightful’s solution. You’re presented with a 100-inch virtual screen when you boot up the device.
The dual OLED displays in the glasses support a 1,920 x 1080 pixels per eye resolution, a 50-degree field of view, and a 90hz refresh rate. This means you get an ultra-large screen and a smooth overall experience.
As a bonus, if you wear prescription lenses, you can get a customized pair of these specs tuned to your specific needs. Overall, I found the “display” experience sharp, fluid, and well done. There’s a bit of blurring if you try to zoom in on text too much, but that’s about it.
The glasses also come with a handy dimming button, which allows you to compensate for ambient lighting and protect your vision.
Performance and Functionality
The Sightful Spacetop G1 is intended for on-the-move productivity. It’s probably not going to be your go-to laptop for any tasks that require a high amount of storage, as the SpaceOS operating systems consumes a decent amount of the 128GB space.
Still, you get a fantastic 16GB of RAM, which is more than enough to ensure you can easily multi-task and jump between different apps in Sightful’s library. The Spacetop G1 also features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon QCS8550, which adds to the overall performance.
Plus, there’s a neural processing unit included, allowing the system to handle AI tasks. You even get a dedicated “AI button” on the keypad. Sightful hasn’t revealed much information about which AI features will be available, even to early-access testers.
However, I’d expect to see similar functionality to what you might expect from something like Windows Copilot. The good news, as mentioned above, is that you can immediately access and use a range of apps you’ll already rely on for work through SpaceOS.
The solution comes with a dedicated library of valuable tools, like Microsoft 365, Zoom, and Slack, and Sightful’s team says they’re likely to add more functionality in the future.
Is the Sightful Spacetop a Good Solution for Work?
I can definitely see the Sightful Spacetop being an interesting choice for employees on the move who are searching for new ways to boost their productivity.
Notably, while this definitely isn’t your standard laptop, you can still use it like one. Two USB ports are included for connecting to other devices. Plus, you get a 5MB camera built into the front cover, which you can use as your webcam during video calls. There are also plenty of connectivity options to explore, from Wi-Fi 7 to 5G via the included SIM slot.
The SpaceOS operating system is built on Chromium, so you can essentially do anything you would normally do on the web with a standard laptop on this system. However, you may find the laptop struggles with high-demand tasks like video editing.
The Spacetop is excellent for multi-tasking, with the option to create multiple browser windows and tabs that you can move around your virtual environment. Plus, you’ll never lose track of your mouse’s pointer, thanks to built-in machine learning algorithms. If you look in one direction and move the mouse on the trackpad, it should immediately appear.
The trackpad even supports gestures. For instance, if you use three fingers to swipe to the left, you’ll move your entire virtual screen horizontally. This offers a much more controlled experience than using something like the Apple Vision Pro, which constantly tracks your eyes.
Plus, the travel mode is incredibly intuitive. It uses the cameras on the glasses and AI models to ensure your virtual screens stay locked in front of you when you’re moving around. Like the Apple Vision Pro’s travel mode, the system leverages the device’s accelerometer to ensure virtual screens don’t just zoom past you when you’re in a car or on a train.
The Sightful Spacetop: The Future of Laptops?
Ultimately, there are plenty of AR/VR devices and smart glasses that can connect to your laptop or computer, but Sightful is the first company to look at this market from a new perspective.
Sightful believes that “screenless” laptops that offer users access to more screen space and freedom are the future of productivity. I can certainly see the benefits of this approach. From an ergonomics perspective alone, using a pair of AR glasses is far more comfortable than hunching over a laptop.
Notably, the Sightful Spacetop isn’t the most powerful laptop I’ve ever used, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable solution. Sure, the price tag is a little high, but if you’re looking for a transformative work experience (without a VR headset), the Spacetop is a good choice.
via xrtoday
