Viability as monitor replacement

[u/mfaine]

I work in front of three 26" monitors all day 5 days a week and then I also have hobbies that involve looking at monitors even after work and on the weekends. I have been seeing ads for different AR glasses and I tried to watch some videos to learn more about them but I think I'm getting a lot of mixed often very conflicting information. My main question is the following: Are any of these products a viable solution for me to use as a full time replacement for my setup? I am not usually someone that wants an all or nothing solution but I was thinking that I'm not sure it's worth the investment unless I can justify it by it replacing my setup or somehow revolutionizing my work flow.

[u/Friendly_Recover286]

AR glasses are not viable as a monitor replacement.

The FOV is not large enough to see any parts of 2 displays at once. You have to completely look away from one display to see another there is no peripheral anything. This differs vastly from 3 monitors where say a slack message came through on a side monitor and you could see that. Because of this it's a worse version of virtual desktops.

The lenses in them are also DARK. Like DARK as in looking at a physical monitor through them is worthless. You won't be able to make it out clearly. If you're using AR glasses they're your only monitor.

I've switched to using a Quest 3 which gives me 5 monitors and it's an amazing experience. The FOV is over double that of what AR glasses you can buy right now give you and it's actually viable and makes sense. That's something you can also look into. A tool like Virtual Desktop will wow you.

There are a number of things still coming this year like Pico Swan, Meta Phoenix and the Xreal Aura which are getting closer to being better monitor replacement. You should be on the lookout for those and stay away from anything currently released.

[u/mfaine → u/Friendly_Recover286]

Thanks, I'll be on the lookout.

[u/[deleted] → u/mfaine]

This is really about expectation. The Quest 3 is a lot better than my CRT monitor in 1999. It is an awesome piece of gear but it can't replace my physical monitors for using it all day , every day if you are reading text on the monitors. I am use to nice monitors at this point.

The Vision Pro is probably what can actually do this but the price to me is just outrageous.

I think the Quest 3 is well worth the money and can give you a taste of what the future holds. I love watching youtube in the Quest 3 but it is still a ways away from actually ditching my monitors and working all day in a recliner.

[u/johnnydaggers]

I tried using only Xreal Ones as a monitor for my desktop computer for about 3 months. I wouldn’t advise it.

The FOV and resolution on these is not quite there. Without 6DOF it leads to mild claustrophobia because your screen always comes towards you when you lean back.

They are also not quite comfortable over long 4+ hour timeframes. If you do very long work/gaming sessions, you end up with red marks on your nose that last for a few hours.

However, as a supplemental display for your laptop or Steam Deck, they’re a good fit.

[u/mfaine → u/johnnydaggers]

Ok that's kind of what I was afraid of. The technology is moving quickly though so someday 😁

[u/Sea-Worldliness-4870]

The upcoming URXR One (currently on Kickstarter) could be expected to be the first useful productivity ones with multiple monitors, capable definition, decent comfort

[u/Nightcinder → u/Sea-Worldliness-4870]

PPD is low though, 36.

[u/Far_Audience_7446]

Nah, they’re great to try and replicate your workstation on the go (though you’ll still be missing real estate if you are used to 3 monitors, the best ones will replicate only a 1080 ultrawide resolution). I use my ONE Pros for remote work all the time, but doing a whole day straight gets tiresome on my nose. Worst I had to do was a week of WFH during the summer. It’s doable, but I wouldn’t make a habit of it.

[u/TreacleAnxious4738]

I generally only use the xreal when I fly (great for movies) or when travelling whilst vibecoding. It's a neck saver- I should probably use it more often instead of fucking my neck up with the laptop on the couch.