The Sightful Spacetop offers a compelling vision of augmented reality productivity, transforming your PC into a vast, immersive workspace. Using XReal Air Ultra 2 AR glasses, Spacetop projects a sprawling virtual desktop around you, offering a unique alternative to multiple physical monitors. While the concept is impressive and largely successful, several bugs and a hefty subscription fee hold it back from being a must-have for everyone.
This review focuses on the Spacetop software experience, exploring its functionality, usability, and overall value proposition.
Expanding Your Digital Horizon: The Spacetop Experience
Imagine your laptop screen expanding beyond its physical confines, filling your field of view with a grid of virtual displays. This is the promise of Sightful Spacetop, an AR application that uses XReal AR glasses to create a 180-degree workspace. Individual windows and applications float freely within this virtual space, allowing you to arrange your digital environment as you see fit. You can position Slack in one corner, Outlook in another, and your primary work application front and center, all within a seamless Windows environment.
Sightful Spacetop concept art
While the functionality is impressive, the current implementation isn’t without its challenges. Adjusting window positions requires manual manipulation, lacking the convenience of Windows Snap. Additionally, the central toolbar, while functional, can obstruct active windows and isn’t currently adjustable.
Setup and Hardware: A Streamlined Approach
The Spacetop bundle includes the XReal Air Ultra 2 AR glasses, the core component of the Spacetop experience. The glasses are remarkably lightweight and comfortable, crucial for extended wear. The open-sided design allows for peripheral awareness, a welcome feature for public spaces. However, this openness can also be distracting in quieter environments.
Sightful Spacetop primary Xreal glasses on laptop
The Spacetop software itself is a Windows application, installable on compatible AI PCs. While the setup process appears straightforward, further testing is needed to fully evaluate its ease of use and portability between devices. Sightful also offers prescription lens inserts for the XReal glasses, accommodating users with vision correction needs.
Sightful Spacetop primary XReal glasses on face 2
Navigating the Virtual Landscape: Functionality and Glitches
Once the XReal glasses are connected and the Spacetop app launched, the augmented reality workspace unfolds. The virtual desktop stretches approximately 180 degrees, offering ample space for multiple windows and applications. The XReal’s 1080p per eye resolution ensures text clarity and comfortable viewing. Adjusting the display’s distance and tilt allows for personalization and optimization.
Sightful Spacetop canvas capture
However, the experience is marred by several glitches. Window manipulation can be unpredictable, with some windows refusing to move or resize smoothly. Keyboard input issues, including unintended CTRL lock functionality, further hampered the workflow. Audio dropouts and unresponsive pop-up windows added to the list of frustrations.
Sightful Spacetop toolbar
Productivity and Comfort: A Mixed Bag
Despite the glitches, Spacetop proves capable of supporting productive work. Writing, research, and multimedia consumption are all feasible within the AR environment. However, eye fatigue and occasional vertigo can limit extended use. Adjusting the glasses’ light permeability offers some relief, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.
Sightful Spacetop shortcut controls
Sightful Spacetop warning
Sightful Spacetop primary glasses on face 3
The Verdict: Potential Hampered by Price and Bugs
Sightful Spacetop presents a genuinely innovative approach to productivity, offering a compelling glimpse into the future of work. Its immersive AR workspace is undeniably useful, especially for those on the go. However, the numerous bugs and the high price tag, including the $899 initial cost and $200 annual subscription, limit its appeal. While frequent travelers might find value in its unique capabilities, for the average consumer, Spacetop remains a niche product with room for improvement.
