TheApple Vision Prois a puzzling piece of hardware . It ’s a technical marvel that stuns the senses but it lacks the killer app and content call for to sweep over the initial cost of investing and awkward ergonomics . I ’m enchant by its potential and was brave enough to contain on to the Vision Pro beyond the return window .
When I apply it , I am reminded of its unique abilities , such as its Mac Virtual Display feature . Bringing a boring “ real Earth ” experience to a hybrid practical one vocalise good on the surface , but the original Mac Virtual Display was limited and did n’t offer much of a benefit . But invisionOS 2.2 , Apple added the ability to endure a wide or ultrawide monitor , making the lineament much more utile . It was one feature article I ’ve been anxiously waiting for .
I ’m a gravid devotee of using a three - video display apparatus for my Mac , but does the update Mac Virtual Display render a superior experience ? Could it be the killer Vision Pro feature that we ’ve been clamor for ? The answer is not so simple . Let ’s dissect the experience of the Mac Virtual Display on Apple Vision Pro to see if it realise the $ 3,500 investiture worthwhile .
A Mac Pro with an Apple Pro Display XDR surrounded by two Apple Studio Displays.
What the wide and ultrawide upgrade means
The Vision Pro operating system of rules uses its Mac Virtual Display feature to mirror a Mac ’s display within a virtual environment . It ’s a manner to stay ground to the Mac but it open novel possibilities . you could have the Mac screen front and center and pin various app windows all around you , including the various Vision Pro apps . The experience feels like something you ’ve find out in a sci - fi moving-picture show .
During its first looping , Mac Virtual Display was a neat lineament but lacked any “ wow ” gene . What it needed was a large presentation option and gratefully , Apple included it in visionOS 2.2 . you may now work away from your desk in individual with a large broad or ultrawide display that travels with you virtually anywhere .
My principal Mac workstation is a triple varan frame-up . This includes two Apple Studio Displays on the left wing and right , and an Apple Pro Display XDR front and nub . It take up a hearty footprint to the full stop that it needs two connecting desk to fit all the monitors comfortably . By comparison , with a Vision Pro , you just take a small Mac and the machine itself – that ’s an attractive alternative .
A Mac Pro with an Apple Pro Display XDR surrounded by two Apple Studio Displays.
A Mac Pro with an Apple Pro Display XDR surrounded by two Apple Studio Displays .
Thiago Trevisan
How the Mac Virtual Display feature makes it possible
There ’s more nuance to the Mac Virtual Display update in visionOS 2.2 that make it more functional than simple extensive and ultrawide display support . ( visionOS 2.4 is the current rendering , which finally fetch Apple Intelligence support . )
Mac Virtual Display wide modes are round-eyed to activate . With the Vision Pro connected to your Apple silicon Mac , you ’ll find a drop cloth - down computer menu on top of the Mac Virtual Display covert with the new wide and ultrawide choice .
A drop - down menu allows Vision Pro users to change the screen ratio setting .
A drop-down menu allows Vision Pro users to change the screen ratio settings.
Thiago Tresvian
The first setting , Standard , has a 16:9 look proportion and can expose up to 5 K ( 5120 by 2880 ) resolution . The next choice isWide , which is 21:9 and can do a firmness up to 6720 by 2880 pixels . The last pick isUltrawideand can do 10240 by 2880 pixels in a 32:9 aspect ratio .
Your Mac input – keyboard , trackpad , and/or mouse – also works smoothly to control Vision Pro ’s port . That ’s important in this position where your Mac environment blends with the Vision Pro . The gestures embedded within visionOS are great for many thing , but for true productiveness , I choose a physical stimulant gadget .
The major issue with the Apple Vision Pro is that it becomes uncomfortable over time.
Vision Pro provide some flexibility with Mac Virtual Display , which can be adjusted by a soupcon and drag gesture on the low remaining . This allow you to change the size of the Virtual Display and move it farther aside or tight . The resolution can also be adjust to better your experience overall . It ’s also simple to go your environment at different spirit level to see how you feel during usage , depending on the amount of external light you require to enter your workspace .
Another good feature is that now you’re able to route the audio frequency straight from your Mac to the Vision Pro speakers . This help oneself to keep the sound closer to you and simplifies your connexion . In theory , the Mac Virtual Display capabilities of the Vision Pro fathom a lot more appealing than a turgid , clunky three - monitor desk setup . In practice , the answer are not so clean - swing .
The big problem that software can’t fix
Here ’s the catch with the Vision Pro ( and other headsets ): it becomes uncomfortable after a while . Sure , a lighter Vision Pro would help oneself , but fatigue always set in eventually . Then there ’s the disorientation felt up after using the Vision Pro ; Apple has broil in unlike levels of background signal ingress and closing off for this very reason . over immersion may be great for a short full point or certain use vitrine . The passthrough feature film help , but it still creates only the deception of cognizance .
With its crisp solvent and wide / ultrawide accompaniment , you’re able to be very productive with the virtual environment of the Vision Pro and its on the face of it endless customizability that put to work beautifully . But it does n’t matter if the user ca n’t get comfortable . The Vision Pro is excessive for me to work for anything long than poor bursts .
In my physical multi - monitor apparatus , I can ferment for hours with minimal tiredness , and there ’s the power to freely move in the workspace and interact with the surroundings . spacial calculation is simply not as natural as the standard setups that human mother wit are accustomed to .
The major consequence with the Apple Vision Pro is that it becomes uncomfortable over meter .
This experience is significant in that it usher that spacial calculation has future potential and visionOS can continue to improve , but it come down to the ironware that can provide a more seamless , born fashion . That may be difficult to successfully do , at least in the unforesightful condition . Many hurdles and friction exist for Vision Pro to reach the pantheon of grandness which is the iPhone .
It’s simply not ready for prime time
Viewed in a house of cards , the Vision Pro is an excellent twist that ’s capable of wow its users and even aid with many productivity tasks . This bubble quickly break down to keep its perkiness in literal - mankind use , however . It ’s uncomfortable , it ’s expensive , and alternatively of any real killer characteristic it tender solution for niche cases .
This make a problem for Apple . Vision Pro does n’t have anywhere near the sales and enthusiasm that was forecasted for the gadget . That do Apple to not be incentivized to ply content and attention to the existing Vision Pro substance abuser base .
What can Apple do to make the Vision Pro and spacial calculation more appealing ? A reduction in weight and pricing is a skillful start , but these changes alone do not make the gadget utile . Vision Pro needs to sense natural and seamless for the user , who then can transfer the activities that are typically done on the iPhone to this machine . That ’s easier tell than done and is potential a tremendous applied science exploit that will take twelvemonth to fully develop .
For now , we can bask the Vision Pro for what it is . While it is a attractively done composition of applied science , the wide and ultrawide options only slimly change its usability . It ’s a niche partizan product , which even Tim Cookadmits . There ’s nothing wrong with that , and it will either face up better interpretation in the future or the eventual cancellation by Apple if it ’s deemed impracticable . Let ’s hope they figure it out since the underlying idea is worthy of the endeavour .
