For over a decade , I ’ve thirstily say about Apple AR glasses and VR headset leaks , patent documents , and rumors . I ’ve always believed that if any company had the resources to bring us into the future I ’ve been waiting for , it ’s Apple . But now that the Vision Pro is nearly here , I ’ve lost much of my excitement for Apple ’s first extend reality gadget .

I ’ll purposely stave off the easy targets . We all know a $ 3,500 Vision Pro is shockingly expensive . But that may not be an issue for some multitude . We’ve also pick up many story ofdiscomfort becoming an issue , even in a half - hour demo of the Vision Pro . That ’s a problem for some mass , but VR enthusiasts like myself are used to sound headsets . I wo n’t challenge Apple ’s decision to put digital eyes on the front of the headset .

My disappointments with the Vision Pro are a act more nuanced . I had fantastic hopes for what the Vision Pro would be , and as of now , it ’s just not there yet .

Is it a spatial computer?

One of my problem with Apple ’s first headset is the insistency thatthe Vision Pro is a spatial computer . Computer . Let that password sink in for a moment . It ’s a word that means something in Apple ’s world . And yet , the Vision Pro wo n’t get macOS and ca n’t run Mac apps . That entail it ’s a “ computer ” in the same way that an iPad is a computer . This nontraditional solution will fail at tasks your Mac or Windows PC treat with ease .

I ’ve tried working in virtual realness with aMeta Quest Pro . It ’s possible , but take longer and necessitate workarounds . The Vision Pro will ply much better performance , similar to an entry - grade Mac . Apple ’s headset can also pass iPad apps that are powerful enough to satisfy most computation pauperism .

A Vision Pro could almost put back my computer … almost . With basic things , you ’re fine , but just like iPads , you ’re function to flow into a job sooner or later .

I ’ll still take a Mac to fulfil all my computer science penury .

For me , I expend my Mac to connect to other muscular tools , such as my 3D printer . There are iPad apps for 3D impression , but that ’s not an idealistic solvent . Then there’sscanning , which just works on a Mac . It ’s easy to capture documents and photos at the high-pitched settlement your all - in - one printer or scanner support . From an iPad , apps often fork up half the timber .

These iPad app restriction are n’t always Apple ’s fault . Third - party developers could make full - featured apps , but there ’s not enough stake in using the iPad as a productiveness gadget . The Vision Pro wo n’t get along any better since this expensive gimmick will have a petite fraction of the iPad gross sales intensity .

In the end , I ’m going to still necessitate a Mac to fill all my computing needs . Apple happily pointed out that I can connect my Vision Pro to a Mac . The content is percipient — do n’t get rid of your Mac , just add a Vision Pro .

The Vision Pro might eliminate an ApplePro Display XDR or aome other large , high - quality monitor for some people , but you wo n’t be capable to well share a screen door with a client or co - worker , and at 92 % DCI‑P3 , it does n’t cover the full - colour gamut needed for television and film yield .

Is it a VR headset?

It ’s problematic whether the Vision Pro qualify as a estimator . Most people , outside of Apple employees , allow in that the Vision Pro is closer to an radical - premium VR headset . It ’s emphatically spatial , much like the Meta Quest 3 is spacial . Both can scan my environs and displayvirtual objects that seemingly rest on my table or bounce off my walls .

The Vision Pro , like every other VR headset , can ply complete absorption , surrounding me with sights and sound that are unacceptable to make any other manner . It ’s like I ’m really in another earth when I put on a VR headset . That ’s powerful , and Apple recognizes this . At the Vision Pro annunciation , Apple showcased a T. rex hulk over a person bear the headset .

My issue with the Vision Pro is the lack of focus on the most impressive characteristic of virtual realism . Where are the immersive biz ? I expect more thanthe fistful of titles the Vision Pro is launch with , one of which isSuper Fruit Ninja . No offense toSuper Fruit Ninja , but it ’s not exactly a barn burner . Developers have n’t push aside the potential , andmore VR games have been announced for the Vision Prosince Apple ’s press release amount out , but it ’s improbable to be private-enterprise with Meta ’s gambling depository library anytime before long .

display multiple virtual windows is nothing new . The biggest innovation from Apple is the ability to practice the Vision Pro ’s center - tracking as input , which it look to do quite excellently . But assorted realism with colour passthrough has been around since 2022 , even if the Vision Pro claim to do it best . The Meta Quest Pro already broke new basis in spacial computing . I ’d also screw to see spatial apps that offer something new , and I ’m yet to be convince that any apps on the Vision Pro can give birth that .

The Vision Pro’s value as a VR headset

If I weigh the note value of the Vision Pro as a VR headset , it arrive up unretentive . It ’s a 4 K headset with first-class hand - trailing , a superfast processor , and first-class assorted reality . It ’s $ 3,500 raise expectations higher than ever .

That means I require content that take advantage of those features . I bear the Vision Pro to providean immersive Fitness Plus experiencethat   put me right in the gymnasium or perhaps in some beautiful nature retreat . Apple should have hadat least one AAA VR game for the Vision Pro at launching , with more on the room . Also , this spatial estimator should be able to replace my MacBook fully .

If the Vision Pro could answer those three demands , I would n’t waffle to corrupt it . unluckily , it only partially satisfies the last one . Gaming almost seems to be an afterthought , and the fitness voltage go unmentioned .

Vision Pro’s bright future

The Vision Pro is an Apple product with years of research behind it , so my expectation were truly gamey . Perhaps too high .

Compared tothe 2020 rumors of Apple Glass , the Vision Pro is as bulky and unattractive as most other VR headsets . I ’m not the only one whoanticipated a slim , lightweight mixed reality headset . Do n’t get me haywire — I love VR , and I ’m excited that Apple has finally come in the mart . It ’s off to a jolty start , but it would be a mistake to dismiss the tech giant or second - speculation Apple ’s foresighted - terminal figure plans based on this first move .

Apple has innovated most in visionOS , rethinking interaction by using the wearer ’s regard and a hint for control . That would make the Vision Pro exciting if there were n’t so many other problems and a deal - break price .

The 2d - genesis Vision Pro , rumored to be significantly less , is the one to keep your oculus on , along with hearsay of Apple AR glass , which are still many eld down the road .