The laptop is synonymous with the digital nomad—it has become the very essence and foundation by which the digital nomad lifestyle exists and this indispensable tool is now on the verge of being revolutionized with the introduction of the Spacetop laptop.
Like its predecessor, the laptop has enabled computing power to become mobile making it the primary machine for many people the world over—the Spacetop has a real chance of causing massive waves in the computing world.
The Sightful Spacetop employs augmented reality to bring numerous benefits to its users including the reduction of hardware that comes with multiple screens while still increasing computer productivity.
What Is the Spacetop Laptop?
The Sightful Spacetop is an augmented reality (AR) laptop that is screen-less with the ability to project tabs across a 100 inch screen that is virtual. Its name is a spin off from its sibling the laptop and while it still delivers mobile computing, it takes it to another level. The ‘space’ element refers to the vast amount of desktop real estate that the device delivers to its users relative to its size.
Spacetop is essentially a 13 inch computer that is broken down into just a keyboard, track pad and a pair of HD augmented reality glasses by Nreal Air AR glasses. There is of course no screen to be found anywhere—picture a laptop with no screen and you get an idea of what a Spacetop is.
Launched by the Tel Aviv startup Sightful, the Spacetop laptop has been in the works and development for almost 3 years, unknown to many and is particularly designed for the ‘work from anywhere’ movement aka the digital nomad.
The 100 inches of virtual screen gets projected in front of the user as soon as they don the reality glasses over their eyes no matter where they are. What’s more, is that this augmented reality screen is invisible to everyone else but the user. Spacetop’s 8 open tabs provide a seamless navigation that is reminiscent of an Apple-like level of intuitiveness and using the device feels completely natural.
This is not surprising as the company draws talent from folks who have worked on projects that have been implemented by the likes of tech power houses Apple and Microsoft.
Key Specs of the Spacetop Laptop
Considering that it’s the first product from Sightful, the specs are pretty standard on what you can expect from today’s modern laptops that are medium tier.
| Key Specs | Value |
| Screen size | 100 inches courtesy of Nreal Air AR glasses |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| CPU (Central Processing Unit) | Snapdragon 865 |
| GPU (Graphics Processor Unit) | Adreno 650 GPU |
| Webcam | 2560×1920, 5MP |
| Ports | USB-C (2) |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs. |
| Battery life | 5.5 hours (est.) |
| Dimensions | 1.57-inches high X 10.47-inches wide X 8.8-inches deep. |
What is Augmented Reality (AV)?
Augmented reality is a new technology that facilitates the integration of digitally generated 3 dimensions (3D) representations stimuli with a real world environment. 1 The technology is a promise for the future and is being used to make strides in many sectors primarily those in the medical, educational and even the military.
Some of the benefits and goals of AR include:
- Integrating practical and social skills and having knowledge and understanding in the medical fields.
- Facilitating the use of large data sets.
- Integrating virtual objects into physical space etc.
Laptops have become the centerpiece of many people’s daily working lives including digital nomads, but laptops have not evolved to keep up some of these modern demands. In essence, they have not fully embodied the “work from anywhere, privacy matters and road warrior” mantra that is a distinguishing feature of the worker of the future.
As mobility is one of the main benefits of a digital nomad life, it is clear to see why this product will likely lure this breed of workers.
Sightful’s product is looking to bridge the crossroads of where the technological world is located at—merging the needs of a new breed of working class employees that can work anywhere with equipment that can adequately meet this need.
“Two worlds sit at a crossroads: Laptops are the centerpiece of our daily working lives, but the technology has not evolved with the modern, work from anywhere, privacy matters, ‘road warrior’ mentality,”— Tamir Berliner, CEO and cofounder of Sightful.
Humankind is at the very beginning of a 4th industrial revolution better known as the technology revolution—traditional industries are going to be transformed in scope, scale and complexity unlike anything society has witnessed and will make a significant change in paradigm in how humans live, work and relate to each other. 2
AV is among the technologies that will usher in this revolution. In the near future, laptops may become an obsolete technology where electronic tasks are no longer relegated to LED screens like we have today. Instead, they will have users squint through AR glasses.
Unique Features of the Spacetop Laptop (Spacetop’s Benefits to the Digital Nomad)
The Spacetop has several unique features that make it stand out compared to its more traditional sibling, the laptop. Some of these include:
Screen Functions
Just like a Chromebook, Spacetop has a custom Android-based OS interface that runs web and/or cloud apps with an app drawer, tray and a multiple window support. It is easy to maneuver through the screens and almost feels natural—users only have 2 shortcuts to learn:
- Pressing down both shift buttons which will center the screen where they are looking.
- Along the function keys at the top of the board, there is a custom reality button which collapses the screen bringing the back the user to focus on the world around them.
Another feature that makes the Spacetop stand out is that the cursor jumps flawlessly between windows which means users DON’T have to click on the active window to and then scroll to work on it. This eliminates the need to click and work through windows.
The projected text is very legible when compared to other AV headsets mainly because Spacetop have made some optic enhancements that boost resolution and clarity.
Sightful has engineered the Spacetop laptop and has made the technology easy to use and made it practical for everyday functionality. Every now and then, some new tech may come to the public as a gimmick.
Not in this case, this device should not be written off as some attention grabber—the virtual screen stays pinned in place where it is centered in reality. As a result, Spacetop’s physical display feels like it’s truly in space with the user.
Size Does Matter
One of the most amazing features of this device is the size of the desktop that is created—a colossal 100 inch laptop. There is not a single laptop in the market today that can match these specs; it’s simply not feasible.
To put this into perspective, Sightful’s CEO cheekily points out: “If you go to Best Buy tomorrow and you see a 13-inch laptop, a 15-inch laptop, and a 100-inch laptop that’s the size of a 13-incher, which would you buy? Probably the 13-incher.”
Coders, developers and software engineers very often have to create lots of real estate on their desktops by way of integrating extra screens. This becomes difficult to implement when leading a nomadic life due to the need to carry the bulky hardware.
Spacetop easily solves the screen size dilemma that often plagues digital nomads, especially when compared to its size.
Users Are Still Part of Reality
Spacetop is an impressive and innovative technology that allows its users to not only have views of the desktop but also what is behind it! This is obviously something that is on the minds of many who encounter this new technology, it is not far-fetched to think that once the Nreal Air AR glasses are put on, the world outside is shut out.
On the contrary, users can still see enough of the real world to such an extent that it is possible to walk around while using the device. While other people can’t see the user’s screen, users have a clear sense of what’s around them. This is particularly useful for the digital nomad that may be working in a public area such as a café, at the beach or a shared working space.
Prescription Inserts
Potential clients of the Spacetop laptop may ask themselves, what if they wear glasses? This has been a concern in the development of AR technology as companies work towards developing AR displays that enable a 20/20 vision at all distances for users. 3
Fortunately, Sightful has that covered as nothing could be far worse than having to wear AR glasses over one’s own spectacles. The company offers prescription inserts—this means that they will have customized lenses of the AR glasses that match the prescription of a user. When making the order for the device, clients would simply send in their prescription.
What About Sound?
Audio is transmitted through the glasses at where they sit on the temples which delivers a private listening experience. However, it should be stated that the sound is not awe inspiring and lacks bass. It is however sufficient for video calls.
Spacetop vs Laptop: The Pros and Cons
Laptops have come a long way since their inception in 1981, with the Osborne 1 invented by Adam Osborne although the concept of mobile computing goes as far back as 1968. 4 Since then, they have made strides by getting thinner and lighter, having vastly improved battery life and displays have become crisper and sharper.
However, the average screen hasn’t grown much—for practical reasons as one can imagine, with the average screen size in today’s laptops coming at 14 inches or even smaller. This is a cramped desktop for multitasking which is a requirement of many digital nomads today. Most laptop users agree that the best time they get the most efficient use of their laptops is when using a screen such as a 49 inch Samsung monitor—this happens overwhelmingly from the comfort of their homes.
The Spacetop’s best selling point is obviously its screens which can make it a must have for any digital nomad or professional who uses mobile computing but needs ample desktop space.
However, the Spacetop is a product that is in its infancy and has some inadequacies briefly outlined below:
Field of View
The actual field of view is a narrow 60 degree field which makes it wide enough to have 2 optimally sized tabs in view. Anything more than that will leave the user turning and craning their necks as items fall wayside of their peripheral vision.
Field of view (FOV) is a reference to the angular size of the scene which a user can see instantaneously. 5 A wider FOV allows the user to see more of the scene and the converse is true for a narrower view.
Users simply cannot see the full 100 inch space at a time and are instead looking through a smaller viewing window which is not on Sightful’s spec sheet and it’s possible to lose the cursor somewhere off to the side and not be able to find it.
Sightful states that when this scenario plays out in the future, the cursor will immediately jump to where your eyes are once updates are made to the software.
Processing Power, Battery Life & Inadequate Accessories
Spacetop’s Qualcomm chip simply cannot compete with what’s on offer in many of the laptops on the market today. This chip is best known for running a few tabs at a time.
Additionally, battery life is at a paltry 5 hours which is not acceptable for individuals who are hypermobile and “work from anywhere” such as digital nomads, for which Sightful is targeting.
The touchpad is on the thin side, and the port selection falls short of inspiring with a grand total of 2 USB-C ports! One of these will likely be constantly occupied by the charger a large chunk of the time.
Nevertheless, if this product is warmly received by the market, it is likely that the company will take steps to bring the product up to par with what the market expects.
Sightful has an innovative idea in the Spacetop laptop and while the system isn’t at a level where it can support heavy processing tasks such as animating or video editing, the technology is very promising for unlocking the abilities of mobile computing—with the adoption, it is likely that this will be an affordable and powerful device that the digital nomad cannot do without.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Sightful?
Sightful launched their joint human-computer interaction (HCI) venture founded in 2020, hired more than 60 employees to reinvent the laptop experience. Their team encompasses expertise in product management, UX/UI, core software, cloud, applications, marketing, computer vision, systems and design. Sightful has raised $61 million and set up offices in Palo Alto, Los Angeles, Taiwan and Singapore.
Where & When Can I Purchase a Spacetop Laptop? What Is the Cost of the Spacetop?
The Spacetop laptop is only available to purchase for 1,000 early adopters through an application-based program. Initially, the Spacetop laptop is expected to retail for $2000.
Who Manufactures the Spacetop?
The Spacetop is powered with Qualcomm’s chipset and 5G based module, and manufactured by Wistron, a laptop hardware manufacturer based in Taiwan.
Will Gamers Be Able To Use the Spacetop Laptop?
The first batch of 1000 units will be limited to people whose workload is “web-forward.” Gamers and video editors are not included. Sightful says it will not include them if they don’t think this can actually solve the main pain point of their experience.
References
[1] Poshmaal Dhar, T. R. (2021, July 14). Augmented reality in medical education: students’ experiences and learning outcomes. Retrieved 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8281102/
[2] MAYILYAN, H. (2018). Educational augmented reality systems Benefits of implementation and government support. Retrieved 2023, from https://www.academia.edu/38361057/Educational_augmented_reality_systems_Benefits_of_implementation_and_government_support
[3] Praneeth Chakravarthula, D. D. (2023). FocusAR: Auto-focus Augmented Reality Eyeglasses for both Real World and Virtual Imagery. Retrieved 2023, from https://www.cs.unc.edu/~cpk/data/papers/focusAR-2018.pdf
[4] Wikipedia. (2023, May 15). History of laptops. Retrieved 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_laptops
[5] Eric D. Ragan, D. A. (2023). Effects of field of view and visual realism on virtual reality training effectiveness for a visual scanning task. Retrieved 2023, from https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1185475
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