VR headset for "everyday computer work"?

SevenSystems · April 2020

I was wondering if today's VR headsets, especially the ones in higher price categories, would be suitable replacements for large multi-monitor setups for doing "normal" office or software development work, web browsing, email, etc.?

Essentially, it's somehow stupid that I have two large monitors (one 29" and one 21") on a huge desk (which I can't lug around) if the same thing would be possible with a little device I put on my head. So there's that.

Is there any VR headset around the $1000 - $1500 price range that would offer a similar resolution to my current setup (roughly 3600 x 1200), or alternatively a bit narrower (I can't see the ENTIRE width of my monitors at a glance either!) and then with "head rotation detection" so that I could "virtually look left and right" and it would automatically scroll a wider virtual desktop through a narrower (say, 2400 x 1200) viewport?

I've seen that stuff like that exists, but I have no idea about the actual experience in practice. Have you tried? Can you recommend any particular product? If it does exist, then why does anyone still use monitors?

Krupa · April 2020

I use a vive quite a lot with work but there’s no way right now I see it replacing monitors. It’s really good for certain things (3D drawing and manipulation) but until the resolutions are upped massively and interfaces are fully designed to match the technology things are pretty good as they are. I know there’s more going on with AR in this direction but from second hand reports from various places, it’s all just not quite there yet - main problem seems to be image registration, which I reckon given all the different factors must be very non trivial to solve... just my animator’s threpenny bit’s worth

SevenSystems · April 2020

@Krupa said:
I use a vive quite a lot with work but there’s no way right now I see it replacing monitors. It’s really good for certain things (3D drawing and manipulation) but until the resolutions are upped massively and interfaces are fully designed to match the technology things are pretty good as they are. I know there’s more going on with AR in this direction but from second hand reports from various places, it’s all just not quite there yet - main problem seems to be image registration, which I reckon given all the different factors must be very non trivial to solve... just my animator’s threpenny bit’s worth

Interesting insight. Yeah resolutions would have to be roughly equivalent to the average monitor, because that's where the "information density" comes from in the end. They probably would have to be even higher because you wouldn't want the WHOLE field of view covered by one giant monitor probably.

Krupa · April 2020

Yeah exactly that, it works really well with 3d work because you’re in it rather than looking through a window at it, and as it’s all mostly vector/continuous data as opposed to raster/discrete, the ability to look closely or from a distance, or different scales is incredibly useful (it’s also great fun and kinda exciting when you can actually give yourself moments of vertigo or motion freakery). Lots of people get sick, I’ve had a few close calls when I’ve pushed it too far, mostly stuff with lots of motion (ie games) but also when I’ve just been in it for ages moving around virtually but actually standing still... need to do it more and get my skills up even more but when it’s sunny outside, the last thing you want to do is helmet up and go to t’dark place