Earlier this year, Sightful company launched the innovative Spacetop laptop without a screen within its early access program, instead opting for augmented reality (AR) glasses that provide a massive 100-inch virtual display. The company has now released an updated version, the Spacetop G1, with notably more powerful hardware and an affordable price tag, aiming to be widely available by the end of the year.
Augmented Reality Glasses and the Spacetop G1
The AR glasses functioning with the Spacetop G1 utilize OLED panels with a refresh rate of 90 Hz, surpassing the 72 Hz found in the base model. The resolution stays the same at 1080p. The field of view is slightly narrowed to 50 degrees from the previous 53 degrees in the early access product, which is still adequate for AR glasses. Sightful did not develop the glasses in-house, instead, they are a modified version of the Xreal Air 2 Pro, according to a report by PCWorld.
Embedding the Power
The inside of the Spacetop G1 hosts the new Qualcomm QCS8550 chipset, ensuring higher performance compared to the previous model. Both the RAM and the internal memory have been increased, now featuring 16 GB of LPDDR5 and a 128 GB SSD respectively. The Spacetop G1 battery life clocks in at 7 hours, which is 2 hours longer than last year’s version. The weight is also reduced to a mere 1.4 kg.
Aiming to Replace Traditional Laptops
The Spacetop aims to replace the usual laptop screen with a virtual workspace displayed in AR glasses. This technology allows users to utilize multiple virtual monitors without needing to purchase more gear. It is also convenient for working on airplanes or trains.
The enhanced performance and battery life of the Spacetop G1 make this concept more appealing. It remains to be seen how comfortable it is to work with a virtual workspace practically. The Spacetop G1 is priced at $1900, perceived as steep yet reasonable for such an innovation, and cheaper than the original version’s $2150. The first batch is expected to be ready by the end of 2024.
