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Ask HN: Is there a VR/AR headset that I can use for work?

3 points by whall6 ↗ HN
The biggest constraint is I cannot download any software on my work computer: no Steam, no Virtual Desktop, etc. These are all blocked. It’s not immediately obvious to me from my cursory search that this is available yet.

I would really like to see if it’s possible to completely replace my monitors when I work from home on my company issued laptop.

For context, my wife and I recently had a baby and instead of upsizing our home for me to have an office, I would like to see if I can work from, say, the kitchen table, but with a full three monitor setup inside VR.

6 comments

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shortrounddev2
Xreal sells an AR glasses pair that simply uses a USB c cable to show your input as a virtual screen. They also sell an accessory that tracks your glasses relative to the peripheral so that the screen remains static in the room. I'm not sure if it can do multiple displays though
whall6
No required software download? As simple as plugging the glasses into my work laptop?

If that’s the case then this might be what I buy

shortrounddev2
If you need glasses, you need to get a set of lenses made for your prescription using a template they send you.
leephillips
If you look up the pixel dimensions of the displays offered by even the best glasses or headsets, you’ll find that you get the equivalent of one modest screen at best. This includes the best of the Xreal glasses mentioned in a comment below. So I don’t think this kind of hardware will satisfy your needs.

I’m typing this on a Surface Pro 3 (running Linux), which has (is, really) a 12 inch screen with pixel dimensions of 2160x1440. It’s 10 years old; the display outclasses anything you can wear on your face.

I’m with you: I’d love to replace screens with this kind of technology. But it’s not there yet.

leephillips
Well, I wasn’t quite correct. The Meta Quest 3 VR headset offers 2064x2208. But I don’t think you can use this as a simple monitor without installing software on your computer. And it’s a quite different experience from wearing smart glasses.
whall6
That’s helpful thank you.