The problem with the term “spatial computer” is that most of the devices that use this arcane marketing term don’t actually look like computers. Apple Vision Pro or Metaquest 3 Although it doesn’t quite meet the definition of a “computer,” most people still think of a “PC” as a desktop or laptop. That’s where the Spacetop G1 AR laptop comes in, hoping to disrupt both the desktop and VR markets that are too stuck in their traditional ways.
The $1,900 Spacetop G1 combines AR glasses with a laptop and a big, bulging magnetic cover to house it all. It’s a simple description, but in many ways it’s accurate. The G1 is made by Sightful, who are currently releasing a beta version of the device.Space Top EAThe company released an improved version, the Smart 3D, last year, and then got ready for primetime with an improved, more ergonomic first product. The company boasts some great products.Magic Leap The developers have been working on this Frankenstein-like device for the past few years. X-RealSpecifically, the Xreal Air 2 Pro, but with some changes aimed at handling a desktop-like interface.
I was invited to try out an early version of the G1 for about an hour, and spoke with Sightful executives about what the device is all about and where they think the technology fits into the still-nascent AR market. When you put the glasses on, you’re greeted with a very minimalist UI with a black background that floats a few feet away and surrounds you from ear to ear. You can load different windows and position them wherever you like on this large desktop that resembles Apple’s spatial computer. You can resize these windows however you like, and move them back and forth with a few simple gestures on the touchpad.
But you can’t carry a window around with you and leave it there, and you can’t separate your glasses from your laptop either: you can carry both with you, but the screen follows you and turns with a fair amount of precision, and yet if you want to interact with those around you, you have to either remove your glasses or look down from the bridge of your nose like a vain child casting a vain glance from under his sunglasses on the beach.
Who is Spacetop G1 for?
This is a device made for the super multitaskers who want more and more screens. Yes, I am one of those people who likes the multi-screen life. Does that mean I need 100 inches, almost 180 degrees of display real estate to get work done? Well, I didn’t think so, but surrounded by screens and with only a little weight on my nose, I found myself almost jumping into the AR laptop life, which means I’d be the worst kind of weirdo sitting in the corner at your local Starbucks.
Sightful CEO Tamir Berliner told Gizmodo that laptop design hasn’t changed in decades, so there’s still plenty of room for improvement. Mobile computers have been on a well-trodden path for so long that no one thinks about innovating anymore. And yet, because its tried-and-true design is so entrenched, people know exactly what they want in a laptop, and rightly so. There’s always another device on the market that can meet those expectations, so a bad keyboard or trackpad, or even slightly poor benchmarks, could mean doom for any device.
In terms of specs, the Spacetop is powered by last year’s Qualcomm Snapdragon QCS8550, with an Adreno 740 GPU. There’s 16GB of RAM, while storage is at 128GB base and goes up to 102GB in more expensive options. We’d like to benchmark it directly against other PCs, but for reference, the device didn’t exhibit any lag or stuttering whatsoever, even when using multiple windows on the screen at the same time.
The glasses are equipped with two OLED displays that boast a 90Hz refresh rate and a 50-degree viewing angle. The external sensors and optics have been slightly modified for the Spacetop G1, but overall these are lightweight, great AR glasses. I had no trouble reading the text on the page, and it didn’t get out of focus or blurry like some smaller AR screens. Lenovo Legion GlassesIt also doesn’t offer the same field of view that you’re used to with a full VR headset, so you’ll have to crane your neck further to see everything on your virtual desktop.
I would say the keyboard is the more important part of the design. I would argue that if the basic typing experience doesn’t meet your expectations, the device may be DOA. The look of the keys is similar to Apple’s Magic Keyboard, to start with, but without the brand-specific keys that we’re used to. It may not be the best typing experience ever, as the keys are a bit hollow and have minimal travel, but it’s not bad. The trackpad is outstanding; it’s smooth glass, large enough to facilitate the multiple gestures required to control the UI.
What software does Spacetop G1 use?
So, everything worked fine, but what I’m most concerned about is the software. There were a few bugs during the demo, but that’s to be expected since there are still a few months until the final release. According to Sightful’s developers, the OS is based on a heavily modified version of AOSP (Android Open Source Project), which allows for multiple windows and depth tracking with the mouse. There is a single bar at the bottom of the view where you can open apps. At the moment, very few apps work natively on Spacetop. For applications like Instagram and YouTube, use the browser version.
Berliner says he hopes to eventually release some AR-specific applications, but those are still in development, and it’s unclear what Sightful has in store for its first full-fledged AR laptop. There’s a lot to consider here, but one advantage of the Spacetop is that it fits neatly into a backpack’s laptop holder, despite the big bump at the top of the laptop sleeve. The cover clicks shut with a satisfying sound, and everything tucks away neatly without the need to coil cables in a special way.
Anyone wanting to wait in line will have to pay $100. Company website You’ll need to put down a deposit to be among the first to buy Spacetop when it finally launches this October. The device costs $1,900, which is expensive for a mobile computer, but glasses wearers can order certain prescription lenses that attach magnetically to Spacetop’s AR glasses.
At least for now, it’s best not to think of the Spacetop as an “augmented reality laptop.” $3,500 Apple Vision ProThere’s no AR functionality whatsoever, apart from the floating screen that comes specially with the laptop itself, but the screen is bright and you can use it in direct sunlight thanks to dark-tinted glasses, so this is an interesting and expensive new product that’s at least trying something new.
