The world of mobile computing is a constant battle between portability and functionality. Large screens offer a great user experience, but come at the cost of weight and battery life. Smaller, lighter laptops prioritise portability but sacrifice screen space for multitasking.
Enter Sightful and their screenless laptop, the Spacetop G1. This unique device aims to disrupt the market by offering a virtual 100-inch display through a pair of included AR glasses. But is the Spacetop G1 a glimpse into the future of computing, or a niche product with a hefty price tag? What's in the box?
For $1900, you get a 79-key keyboard and a multitouch touchpad, but no traditional laptop screen. Instead, you connect a pair of XREAL Air 2 Pro AR glasses via USB-C for your virtual display. These glasses boast 1920 x 1080 OLED displays with a 90Hz refresh rate and support for prescription lenses.
Sightful claims a 100-inch virtual display, but due to the glasses' limited field of view, you won't see the entire picture at once. This might be true if you were sitting impossibly close to a real 100-inch display! Operating a Virtual Desktop
The Spacetop G1 runs a custom operating system called SpaceOS, built on top of Google's ChromiumOS. This OS is designed for the AR glasses and allows for a virtual desktop experience with custom gestures.
Under the hood, the Spacetop G1 packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon QCS8550 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. While the hardware is decent, it lags behind the latest smartphone chipsets in terms of raw power.
Connectivity and Battery Life
The Spacetop G1 offers impressive wireless capabilities with support for WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and 5G. It also boasts a decent 8-hour battery life and supports fast charging. There's a built-in 5MP camera for video calls.
Portability and Design
While a screenless laptop sounds inherently portable, the Spacetop G1 weighs in at 1.4kg (3.1 pounds). The included AR glasses add a bit more bulk. The magnesium body with a hard cover protects the glasses during storage. Upgraded from the Early Access Model
Since its initial limited release, Sightful has upgraded the Spacetop G1. This new version offers a faster processor, improved battery life, double the RAM, and support for faster wireless networking. The keyboard now features a 928 x 262 pixel OLED mini-display for status information and QR codes. The webcam has also been upgraded for better low-light performance and video call angles.
A Niche Product or a Glimpse into the Future?
The Spacetop G1 is undoubtedly innovative. However, its $1900 price tag, custom OS, and potential compatibility issues with traditional desktop applications raise concerns. Eight hours of battery life might not be enough for all-day use, and the constant need to wear AR glasses could be a strain.
The Verdict
While the Spacetop G1 is a fascinating concept, its practicality and high cost make it a tough sell for most users. However, it's exciting to see companies pushing the boundaries of mobile computing. Perhaps future iterations will address the limitations and usher in a new era of screenless laptops.
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