Sightful is set to launch its Spacetop G1 this October, an augmented reality (AR) laptop that replaces the traditional display with a virtual 100-inch screen visible through AR glasses. Preorders are now open at a price of $1,900.
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The G1 has more compact design making it easier to fit in standard laptop sleeves and bags. However, the bulge for storing the AR glasses may still pose a challenge for tightly packed backpacks.
The AR glasses, now a newer version from XREAL can be folded and neatly stowed in a dedicated compartment in the laptop lid. The glasses are lighter and more comfortable with an option for prescription inserts.
Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon QCS8550, the Spacetop G1 offers a 70% performance boost over its predecessor.
Key Specifications:
- Processor: Snapdragon QCS8550 with a neural processing unit for machine learning tasks.
- Memory and Storage: 16 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.
- Battery Life: Improved to approximately eight hours.
- Display: Dual OLED displays with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels per eye, a 50-degree field of view and a 90-Hz refresh rate.
The glasses have two dimming levels to enhance visibility in bright environments similar to Transition lenses on sunglasses. With a lighter weight and better design, the glasses are more suitable for long-term wear.
With the improved refresh rate, interactions within SpaceOS feel more natural and responsive. Users can open multiple browser windows and arrange them around the virtual workspace with SpaceOS remembering their setup.
The trackpad supports gestures for moving the virtual screen horizontally and vertically, enhancing user control over the workspace. The cursor now follows the user’s gaze reducing the need to swipe across the trackpad to locate it.
Keeps virtual screens in place when the user is in a moving vehicle, similar to Apple’s Vision Pro. An AI button on the keyboard will provide contextual assistance based on the user’s current activities and surroundings. The AR glasses offer privacy benefits, as screens are visible only to the user.
Additional Features:
- Ports and Connectivity: Two USB-C ports, support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and 5G via a SIM slot.
- Webcam: Integrated at the top center of the lid.
- Audio: Improved speakers for better sound quality.
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Sightful plans to bring spatial computing into everyday life with the Spacetop G1. The company has incorporated feedback from early adopters to refine the product, emphasizing portability, usability, and performance.
There is uncertainty about consumer readiness to adopt a face-worn computer, as seen with the lukewarm reception of Apple’s Vision Pro.
At $1,900, the G1 is priced similarly to high-end laptops, which may limit its appeal despite its innovative features.
Sightful, founded by ex-Magic Leap executives Tamir Berliner and Tomer Kahan has raised $61 million in venture capital from Corner Ventures, Aleph Capital, and others.
The Tel Aviv-based company employs over 70 people and collaborates with partners like Qualcomm, Wistron, and XREAL for hardware and manufacturing.
Specifications:
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon QCS8550
- GPU: Adreno 740
- Memory: 16GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 128GB UFS 3.1 (approx. 102GB usable after system allocation)
- Ports: 2x USB-C
- Webcam: 5MP
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G
- Dimensions: 11.81 x 9.09 x 0.51-2.44 inches
- Weight: 3.08 lbs (laptop), 0.18 lbs (glasses)
The Spacetop G1 is available for pre-order with a starting price of $1,900. Reservations can be made on Sightful’s website for a $100 deposit, with shipments expected to begin in October 2024.
The Spacetop G1 is designed like a traditional laptop but without a screen. It features a folding case that houses a 5MP webcam and a storage compartment for the included Xreal AR glasses.
The cover is made from black fabric with a hard shell to protect the glasses and support the webcam when in use.
When closed, the laptop resembles a sleek, sleeved laptop with a noticeable bulge due to the glasses compartment.
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While the Spacetop G1 is relatively thin, the built-in AR glasses make it slightly awkward to carry. The glasses are permanently attached, which adds to the bulk and requires careful handling. The laptop’s compactness allows it to fit into most laptop sleeves for additional protection.
The standout feature of the Spacetop G1 is its lack of a traditional screen. Users wear Xreal AR glasses that create a virtual display equivalent to 100 inches.
The glasses feature OLED panels providing 1920 x 1080 resolution per eye at a 90Hz refresh rate. With a 50-degree field of view and 42 pixels per degree.
The virtual screen space appeared extensive, allowing for a near 360-degree display. Users can adjust the brightness of the glasses to suit ambient lighting conditions. The clarity and focus of videos and other content remain consistent.
The Spacetop G1 is designed more for productivity than high-performance tasks. It features an older Snapdragon QCS8550 SoC and 128GB of storage, a portion of which is used by SpaceOS.
With 16GB of RAM, the system handles multitasking smoothly. SpaceOS, though limited compared to Windows or macOS is snappy and functional for web-based applications.
The Spacetop G1 includes an “AI button” capable of “48 TOPS of AI compute,” though specific AI features were not disclosed.
At launch, it will support web applications similar to a Chromebook with potential future support for dedicated Android apps.
The laptop has two USB-C ports, one of which is used for charging, limiting the number of peripherals that can be connected simultaneously. It lacks a headphone jack, relying on the built-in speakers in the AR glasses for audio.
The Spacetop G1’s 5MP webcam embedded in the front cover, offers decent but slightly grainy image quality.
The camera’s higher placement compared to earlier versions still results in an unflattering angle, capturing more chin and neck. Users must wear the AR glasses during video calls.
The ability to position apps and windows around the user in a 3D space offers a more natural and comfortable working environment.
Unlike traditional AR glasses that overlay a static desktop view, SpaceOS allows for dynamic placement of windows and apps.
This flexibility combined with sensors in the glasses enhances the user experience by creating a more adjustable workspace.
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