Since their inception, laptops have had the same clamshell form factor. It’s a tried and true design. Tech startup Sightful does something different, though, taking your screen to default.
The company recently launched SpaceTop (Opens in a new tab)a laptop computer consisting of nothing more than a keyboard attached to a dedicated pair of keyboards NReal augmented reality glasses.
Glasses mode allows users to see a huge 100-inch AR screen that only they can see. Multiple windows can be opened at the same time as the screens curve around your view in every direction. To see a specific window, all you need to do is turn your head to face the application. The projection is also fixed, so you don’t have to worry about windows moving around. Nor does it completely block the real space in front of you. You can still see the world around you.
Spacetop runs on Spacetop OS, but it also runs some third-party software (Opens in a new tab) Like Microsoft Word and Spotify. However, the browser on the device appears to be first party.
Specifications
In terms of its specs, the Spacetop isn’t the most powerful laptop; It seems to be working on smartphone devices as of 2020.
Spacetop is powered by a mixture of Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Chipset, Adren 650 GPU, and 8GB of RAM. The keyboard measures 10.47 inches wide by 9.8 inches deep by 1.57 inches high (266 x 249 x 10.5 mm). In total, it weighs 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) without NReal glasses (the glasses add an extra 0.2 lbs). The battery life only lasts five hours on a single charge. Additionally, the Spacetop only comes with two USB-C ports (although they do support fast charging), as well as 256GB of storage.
Performance-wise, it’s a very lightweight laptop. So if you are a gamer looking for a new way to play the latest titles, you might want to pass this game on. In fact, most people would probably give up on this.
Sightful is promoting the Spacetop as a new way to work remotely. but, A recent report by The Verge (Opens in a new tab) It shows that the laptop is not working well. I broke down early [the publication’s] Trial session and had to restart.” Windows scrolling was slow. Resizing windows, a very nice procedure, also took a while. Browser even crashed trying to play YouTube videos.
availability
Despite a mediocre first impression from The Verge, it was clear that the system was a pleasure to use. So if you’re looking for a unique, lightweight laptop for taking work on the road, Sightful’s Spacetop might fit the bill. Early adopters can purchase one of 1,000 laptops currently available from the Sightful website (Opens in a new tab). The price tag is unknown although some reports claim it to be $2,000 a pop (Opens in a new tab). We’ve reached out to Sightful to clarify pricing.
Something we neglected is that the audio comes from NReal glasses which means others can hear you, but the Spacetop does support Bluetooth so have earbuds ready.
For those interested in purchasing this one-of-a-kind laptop, we recommend that you first check out TechRadar’s listing The best wireless headphones of 2023 .
