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How good are actual VR headsets at being virtual desktop screens? Specifically I've been interested in the Bigscreen Beyond 2 due to its extreme lightweight, bu

How good are actual VR headsets at being virtual desktop screens? Specifically I've been interested in the Bigscreen Beyond 2 due to its extreme lightweight, but most people seem to use them for gaming instead of doing work. I want more screens (or, even better, an infinite screen) but I don't have the desk space for them. I know the Vision Pro sort of does this but I need the full power of my maxed out MacBook Pro, the Vision Pro is too heavy, and it's way too expensive.

jbellis 2y ago
The ones that require base stations like the BB are not very portable.
heelix 2y ago
I picked up a Quest 3 headset, with the thoughts of using it coding when I had to deal with a hotel style work desk. The text was just not sharp enough to be usable for programming.
- dpig_ 2y ago
  What software were you using, Virtual Desktop? I find it super clear in a Quest 3 and I often work for hours in it.
  - LeonM 2y ago
    I'd say most of us are actually more curious about the software setup you're using. You seem to have a setup that works for you for productivity tasks, so please share!
    - andybak 2y ago
      Not GP but I use Virtual Desktop with decent home Wifi so I can max out the quality settings. (I can even work remotely if both sides have very fast broadband) One caveat - this is an alternative to using a laptop and my eyesight is somewhat flawed due to middle age. If you're a 20-something with perfect vision and an addiction to 4k screens then this is probably a step down. For me it's on par with my non-VR experience.
    - jtxt 2y ago
      I’ve done the same with a q3 and virtual desktop for a few weeks and hours at a time when I didn’t have a good monitor. I could run a 4k screen after tweaking the settings a bit. (And using a dummy hdmi plug so an external monitor was not needed) It was best curved and large (and angled down a bit) so that I use it like it is 4 1080p screens. And move head to see each (and a bit more) sharp. The newer version (tested briefly) lets you arrange several virtual monitors wherever. Not as convenient/sharp as a large 4k tv/monitor on my desk, but for a backup monitor and mobile it was great. I’ll give it a shot again.
    - dpig_ 2y ago
      I use Virtual Desktop over home WiFi. I don't even really tweak it beyond that, but I'll sit at an empty desk with a wireless kb+m and a few virtual monitors. Works well!
- bemmu 2y ago
  Same, while I use it for Beat Saber all the time, after testing virtual desktop and the new native desktop sharing, I quickly abandoned attempts to use it for work. Not only because of the resolution, but also it’s tiring to have something strapped to your face, and it makes it hard to have a cup of coffee or a snack.
plun9 2y ago
They're pretty good. It's just that they get uncomfortable to use for long periods of time.
dr_kiszonka 2y ago
I am very curious about BB2 too. I can't really imagine using them outside (cafe, train) because without a pass through I wouldn't feel comfortable, but at home it shouldn't be a problem. (Unless, you have cats maybe.)
raffraffraff 2y ago
These AR glasses are not. It feels like sitting at my desk looking at a single static 27" monitor with 1080p res. The fully immersive ones like the Quest 3 or Apple Vision are better.
KronisLV 2y ago
I remember using my old Quest 2 with an app called Immersed that ran on the Quest too and rendered the environment there, seemingly streaming the monitors in what felt like higher resolution vs the Quest Link. It was really pleasant until the Immersed app removed support for physical monitors and I could no longer use my 4 monitor PC setup in VR: https://www.reddit.com/r/virtualreality/comments/1cm2niy/immersed_vr_removed_multimonitor_support/ https://www.reddit.com/r/virtualreality/comments/1cm2niy/imm... I actually enjoyed it, because having nothing other than a black void or space or whatever in my vision was surprisingly zen and nice. It wasn’t quite like my 1080p monitors, a bit closer to what felt like 720p, though the absolute biggest issue was the pressure on my head which meant that it became uncomfortable after a few hours, even with a custom strap - something that had gotten better in the more recent hardware. Aside from that, I’d say that Virtual Desktop is pretty nice but also has artificial limitations on how many screens it can display: https://www.uploadvr.com/virtual-desktop-multiple-monitors-update/ https://www.uploadvr.com/virtual-desktop-multiple-monitors-u... I’ve never really found that sweet spot that I had between discovering Immersed and them ruining the app for me again.

jbellis 2y ago

The ones that require base stations like the BB are not very portable.

heelix 2y ago

I picked up a Quest 3 headset, with the thoughts of using it coding when I had to deal with a hotel style work desk. The text was just not sharp enough to be usable for programming.

dpig_ 2y ago
What software were you using, Virtual Desktop? I find it super clear in a Quest 3 and I often work for hours in it.
- LeonM 2y ago
  I'd say most of us are actually more curious about the software setup you're using. You seem to have a setup that works for you for productivity tasks, so please share!
  - andybak 2y ago
    Not GP but I use Virtual Desktop with decent home Wifi so I can max out the quality settings. (I can even work remotely if both sides have very fast broadband) One caveat - this is an alternative to using a laptop and my eyesight is somewhat flawed due to middle age. If you're a 20-something with perfect vision and an addiction to 4k screens then this is probably a step down. For me it's on par with my non-VR experience.
  - jtxt 2y ago
    I’ve done the same with a q3 and virtual desktop for a few weeks and hours at a time when I didn’t have a good monitor. I could run a 4k screen after tweaking the settings a bit. (And using a dummy hdmi plug so an external monitor was not needed) It was best curved and large (and angled down a bit) so that I use it like it is 4 1080p screens. And move head to see each (and a bit more) sharp. The newer version (tested briefly) lets you arrange several virtual monitors wherever. Not as convenient/sharp as a large 4k tv/monitor on my desk, but for a backup monitor and mobile it was great. I’ll give it a shot again.
  - dpig_ 2y ago
    I use Virtual Desktop over home WiFi. I don't even really tweak it beyond that, but I'll sit at an empty desk with a wireless kb+m and a few virtual monitors. Works well!
bemmu 2y ago
Same, while I use it for Beat Saber all the time, after testing virtual desktop and the new native desktop sharing, I quickly abandoned attempts to use it for work. Not only because of the resolution, but also it’s tiring to have something strapped to your face, and it makes it hard to have a cup of coffee or a snack.

plun9 2y ago

They're pretty good. It's just that they get uncomfortable to use for long periods of time.

dr_kiszonka 2y ago

I am very curious about BB2 too. I can't really imagine using them outside (cafe, train) because without a pass through I wouldn't feel comfortable, but at home it shouldn't be a problem. (Unless, you have cats maybe.)

raffraffraff 2y ago

These AR glasses are not. It feels like sitting at my desk looking at a single static 27" monitor with 1080p res. The fully immersive ones like the Quest 3 or Apple Vision are better.

KronisLV 2y ago

I remember using my old Quest 2 with an app called Immersed that ran on the Quest too and rendered the environment there, seemingly streaming the monitors in what felt like higher resolution vs the Quest Link. It was really pleasant until the Immersed app removed support for physical monitors and I could no longer use my 4 monitor PC setup in VR: https://www.reddit.com/r/virtualreality/comments/1cm2niy/immersed_vr_removed_multimonitor_support/ https://www.reddit.com/r/virtualreality/comments/1cm2niy/imm... I actually enjoyed it, because having nothing other than a black void or space or whatever in my vision was surprisingly zen and nice. It wasn’t quite like my 1080p monitors, a bit closer to what felt like 720p, though the absolute biggest issue was the pressure on my head which meant that it became uncomfortable after a few hours, even with a custom strap - something that had gotten better in the more recent hardware. Aside from that, I’d say that Virtual Desktop is pretty nice but also has artificial limitations on how many screens it can display: https://www.uploadvr.com/virtual-desktop-multiple-monitors-update/ https://www.uploadvr.com/virtual-desktop-multiple-monitors-u... I’ve never really found that sweet spot that I had between discovering Immersed and them ruining the app for me again.