I ’m an other adoptive parent of VR and love to research the previous technology . And yet , to my alarm , I still employ a ceremonious microcomputer reminder daily to get oeuvre done .

I ’m really not happy about that .

That statement may make you throw off your head in skepticism but fall on for my account . I think a luck of people love the monitors they habituate for work , particularly big 4 yard display or curving screens . However , I remember you might consort that ditching monitor might not only be a good idea — but an inevitableness .

Monitors aren’t good for you

allow me start by attempting to explain thing from my position .

I ’ve found that one screen just has n’t been enough to help me brawl the amount of data I need to access for my piece of work . While I can only focus on one screen at a time , the rest of glancing at a 2nd monitorto apace see more is undeniable . Yet , I hate having my desk space claim up by amulti - monitor lizard setup . I do n’t like the bulk , the cables , or the fact that I ’m lock into one position for minute on end .

When I utilise my laptop computer , on the other hand , there are other problem . The smaller blind restrict how much data point I can see in a spreadsheet and how many windows I can open at the same time . On top of that , a laptop is n’t ergonomic . I do n’t want a screen that sit down a foot and a half below eye horizontal surface , making me hunch down or crane my neck .

What I desire is simple : my screen door to hover before me , like I ’m wearingthe Tony Stark glasses fromSpiderman : No Way Home .

Of of course , that means look for futuristic AR Methedrine to arrive or choosing from the many display - fill up smart glass and VR headsets that are available today . The technology is so secretive I can savour it , and it ’s oh so fresh .

So , using what technology I have at my disposal today , I went on a journey to see just how far I could go without resorting to a monitor . My big takeout ? We have n’t arrived yet , but I can see the light at the goal of the burrow .

Viture Pro + iPhone

I ’ve write aboutViture Pro smart glasses before , and the experience is very good . Using these glasses , my iPhone serves as the computer , while the smart glasses pretend as a large portable show .

abstract in school text on my iPhone is n’t my preferred stimulation method , so I pair a Bluetooth keyboard for speed and easier text editing . My iPhone becomes a trackpad for cursor control .

Viture Pro display are bright and sharp , so it ’s well-fixed to read or determine video . The only limitation is that everything has to happen in the SpaceWalker web internet browser , which is n’t quite as rich as Safari . Even if Safari were compatible , I still demand access to a few apps to maximize my productivity .

SpaceWalker supports up to three web internet browser windows , and I can turn my head to switch between them . However , window size are fixed , and I only see one at a time , because of the special field of sentiment of the current generation of smart ice .

I can link up Viture Pro to a laptop computer greatly extend the display numeration and background space . When I sit down at my computer , I apply my high-pitched - resolution physical monitor .

Xreal Air 2 + Beam Pro

Another intriguing overbold - glasses display option comes from market leader Xreal . If I coalesce Air 2 smart glasses with the unexampled Beam Pro , I get an experience similar to Viture with an iPhone .

The Beam Pro is quite similar to a phone in both show and role . SinceXreal designed the Beam Pro specifically for Air 2 smart shabu , new capabilities are unlatched . For lesson , I can be given any Android app as a window in Xreal ’s Nebula OS . I get Google Chrome and all the other Google apps , plus anything I have in my Play library .

I can open up two window side - by - side in the Xreal Air 2 practical display . Since Nebula supports windows in landscape and portrayal orientation , I easy consider two windows at once .

The more advanced windowing system and power to scarper any Android app could conceivably replace a low - top executive Chromebook . The only publication is the deficiency of mouse sustenance or a trackpad mode .

I can geminate a nice Bluetooth keyboard for faster typing , but sailing requires lifting the Beam Pro and using it like a laser arrow . Xreal ’s Nebula app runs on Windows and macOS , a nice option for laptop computer use .

Apple Vision Pro

I render a Vision Pro at the Apple Store and came away impressed with the substance abuser port . Look and pinch is remarkably fast . I can open several windows and position them wherever I require . I get the full desktop Safari web web browser , several native visionOS apps from Apple , and a slowly growing program library of third - political party apps .

The Vision Pro is very impressivebut there are some problems . It can run iPad apps as long as developers allow you to use them on the Vision Pro . That intend the ecosystem is nearly as skilful as I ’d get from my iPad . The Vision Pro is almost as fast as an iPad Pro , so everything is spry .

For more apps and better performance , I can tie in to a Mac computer and head for the hills macOS apps alongside visionOS and iPadOS apps . The Vision Pro could definitely avail me get rid of my Monitor .

Thebiggest problem with the Vision Pro is the shocking $ 3,500 damage ticket . It ’s near , but it is n’t that good . I ’m holding out for the lower - toll Vision Pro that ’s expected to go far next year .

Meta Quest 3

The Meta Quest 3 is a surprisingly good option to the Vision Proand a viable monitor substitute . With two lustrous , crisp 2.2 super C panel and clear mixed reality view , I can either connect to my computing machine via a outback desktop app or employ the Quest 3 in standalone mode , cause it a laptop replacement .

I try switch my MacBook for a Quest Pro in 2022and often had to work around job . Two year later , the faster Quest 3 and ongoing software improvements make it a much near experience .

The Quest 3 miss the open sides and bottom of the more expensive Meta Quest Pro , but third - party accessories solve that problem . I swap the full facial interface with a simple forehead pad . I also added a halo strap with a battery pack at the seat , doubling runtime when unplugged .

PC VR

For the most speed and power , I still need to colligate to a computer . The Quest 3 is fast but lacks the rich retention , storage , and processing king of my Windows PC . For deterrent example , it ’s much easier to edit images and videos on a computer .

The practiced tidings is I can connect my Quest 3 and PC for free with Meta ’s Horizon Workrooms oculus sinister third - party distant background app like Immersed . motley reality lets me see my environment , while I set up large practical display around me .

This is a unspoiled midway land , but I ’d still prefer an all - in - one solution that does n’t want a personal computer .

A relatively Modern app called Fluid unlocks productiveness that rivals visionOS , and it run on my Quest 3 . The developer rethought how a web browser substance abuser interface should operate in the boundless space of virtual realness .

The ending result is quite telling and removes most of the arbitrary limitations that Meta , Apple , and others impose in their VR apps . For instance , I can open up to 12 windows , and resize and come out them anywhere I like . I switch between using my hand , Quest controller , or a keyboard and mouse whenever I want .

In Fluid , I do n’t suffer from inadvertent hand gestures , since a double - tweak toggles hands on and off . It ’s that attention to detail that do a difference when trying to use a VR headset productively .

With Meta ’s belated update to Horizon OS , I can even open up a 2D app window inside Fluid . That means I get access to aboriginal apps while enjoying the innovative UI of Fluid ’s web web browser .

I didn’t get rid of my monitors

I can comfortably work with any of these devices while typing and researching , but I did n’t get free of my monitors yet . When I ’m cultivate on an double , a traditional computer is still the fastest , and I have n’t feel a need for multiple practical screens for this type of work .

As comfortable as my upgraded Quest 3 is , I can still feel the exercising weight . I also need more productivity apps for canonic tasks like image editing . I ask faster performance , so I feel well-off with opening rafts of tab without any lag . Eventhe best standalone VR headsetslack the ease and might of a basic microcomputer .

Whilethe late and best smart glass have lightweight designsthat feature article electrochromic dimming and high display brightness level , the field of view is still too limiting . Also , I want more options in the substance abuser interface design and greater connectivity . I need the choice to use a mouse and keyboard .

To sum up , those futuristic AR interface are engender closer to becoming a reality . We ’re closer in 2024 than we ’ve ever been to create monitors and mayhap even computers a work choice instead of a essential — and that ’s what excites me most for what ’s ahead .