I REPLACED My Laptop With A Virtual Reality Headset (Meta Quest Pro)

Can VR headsets actually replace computer monitors? I tried one for a few days to find out. There were some huge benefits, but also massive downsides and a lot of pain.
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ADDITIONAL REVIEW NOTES:
For the past few days, I replaced my laptop with a VR head set. You see, the new VR goggles from Meta, the Meta Quest Pro now have color cameras on it, so you can actually see your surroundings and get an augmented reality experience. Marques Brownlee pointed out that you could connect a desktop or laptop wirelessly and instead of having one small laptop display, you could have three massive displays surrounding your head. So how practical is this? Could you use it at work everyday, or in a small apartment, or perhaps while traveling on a plane or in a coffee shop? Well I wanted to find out, so I ordered a Meta Quest Pro and used it instead of my usual laptop display

Let’s start out with some concerns I had before starting

1) The battery life:

You don’t actually need to worry about the battery because you can charge via usbC while using the headset

2) Camera quality and lag
Not really any significant lag that bothered me

You really can’t see your keyboard, so while typing is fine, I sometimes struggle to find the special characters like @#%^ on my macbook pro

Using workspace app, you can see your surroundings (and your laptop) or you can go to a different virtual workspace. The virtual is easier on they eyes, but then you can’t see your laptop or keyboard at all and you are just typing on a table - strange. They need a keyboard map

I am TERRIFIED that I will spill something on my laptop

Sometimes there is some lag in typing and mouse movement, but for the most part, I was impressed by how smooth everything was!

So those were my preconceived concerns and initial reactions when I started using it. So far, so good. None of them were really dealbreakers. Instead, there was plenty to like about this setup.

1) No screen glares from lights or windows
2) No distractions
Other people look kind of faceless
Surroundings were less interesting and less clear than display
Can’t use phone
More immersive and therefore more productive
3) It really works well! Much like actually having multiple monitors. They stay put perfectly, and even extensions like Magnet on Mac work to snap windows to different virtual displays
4) Insead of turning your head, you can turn the monitors. This is incredible. Just use hand gestures to bring each monitor in front of you - is this different from alt tab? I think so. It definitely takes some practice. Not a smooth experience for me yet
5) So I know I said I hate 360 audio, but this is a situation where it is cool.

Which leads us into some hiccups and full blown problems

2) Hand and control gestures do not affect your computer at all - your normal mouse and keyboard do that

3) I think I need to wear earbuds if I plan to listen to music. The speakers on this headset are just ok. Passable for a tutorial or podcast, but I like to listen to music when I work (or listen to my own audio when editing)

4) This thing is heavy. While my head is comfortable, my neck is definitely feeling the strain from an extra 1.6lb on my head

5) The biggest issue of them all, and the reason I had to stop using this to replace my monitor

The 1800x1920 resolution is definitely not great. If you break that down to each computer display, I would say it is equivalent to about 720p display. My laptop is 4k and I am usually not this close to it. I really look forward to the day this kind of headset is 5k or better.

For now, I just make all my browser tabs about 200%

Started working - let’s see how long I can work without eye pain
20 min - Loosening fit
45 min - Eyes feel like I am working on a 2005 CRT display. Same type of resolution, harsh brightness, and overall feel on my eyes. To continue, I am turning the brightness down to 50% and entering a lakeside workspace
1 hr - I had to take a break. That really hurt my eyes

Disclaimer: This video is purely based on my experiences, research, and opinions. You and only you are responsible for your actions. I made this channel to advise viewers and I truly hope to help you all out. I love making these videos and connecting with my viewers!
One or more of the products shown in this video may have been sent to me at no cost. This does not influence my opinions; I always cover both pros and cons.
This channel is monetized via YouTube ads as well as some affiliate links. If a purchase is made after clicking the link, I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to the buyer. Thank you all for watching!

[elliotmarks]

I honestly don't understand Facebook's marketing. All the stuff that they're showing off looks so incredibly stupid, and it's only with videos like these and MKBHD's that I actually get excited about VR tech.

[jayshartzer]

"At least Meta should do is map out your keyboard in front of you"

You can do pass through for just the desk in horizon, workroom and selectively pass through areas in Immersive VR (which is the better app to use anyways and free) so not being able to see your keyboard as a matter of setting things up correctly. Additionally, there are a few keyboards that can be virtually represented. I use the Logitech K375s and it works pretty well

[tonyalarkon]

I've been using the quest 2 to replace my monitors for the past couple weeks and there's definitely a learning curve. Surprisingly I've been able to work all day lately using the Oculus and I'm actually enjoying it. I do use two machines, PC and Mac, so it's pretty handy having 3 screens (2pc and 1mac) while both laptops rest on my desk closed. I have the Logitech MX keyboard which is one of the keyboards that the Oculus brings into VR so I can see exactly where I'm typing; this keyboard and the MX mouse have the a feature called "flow" that allows you to move the cursor from one computer screen to the other one seamlessly like it was just one computer. About the resolution, yes it is not perfect but using the app "immersed" instead of workrooms I'm able to move to monitors close to me to and change the size until looks to readable, took a bit to get it but once you get it, you set and forget it. Also using sidequest I changed the Oculus settings to allow to render in full resolution the full screen area or the lenses, not only the center (which it does by default).

[dragoonseye]

I’m glad to see a review from a non-gaming POV. I don’t do office work but I was curious to see how the target group in this setting thought. I was wondering how the eye strain went.

[JoshuaB]

Immersed will be the app to use. They are already ahead with some of the items mentioned like tracking your keyboard etc. You can even custom pass through specific areas for objects on your desk.

[mvuto]

I agree with you regarding the sound. Get yourself the Sound core buds made for the Meta quest. The sound is insane, and it comes with a dongle that provides zero latency. It can sync with your quest and your phone simultaneously.
Oh, speaking of your phone, Immersed allows you to sync your phone as a monitor in your virtual space. So, while you still need to pick it up and touch it, it's screen is mirrored in VR.

[mrelisard]

I’m really surprised that virtualdesktop hasn’t had a pass through home environment. I I find that to give the best visuals an least latency and higher refresh rate

[pickleball]

As for seeing the keyboard when in a non-passthough office mode, it does support keyboard tracking for certain keyboards, and also there is a button on the right side of the desk that when pressed allows see-through for a portion of the desk. That allows seeing the keyboard, a mouse, and perhaps that drink. :) Thanks for the video!

[bravadomizzou]

It looks promising. Having a virtual keyboard overlayed on the physical one seems like a must have until they have higher resolution passthrough. Thanks for the video. Google was failing me when trying to find info on using it as as a desktop to work with my computer and program.

[Malbashir]

My take is:
1- This WILL get better with time. It seemed like it was a rushed release, and many things were not yet complete.
2- The second iteration of this line up (quest pro 2) will definitely be the one to buy

[Dora-oxko]

You can do this with Breylon, it's a 3d desktop which you can hook onto your PC or computer.

[thadude]

You can setup a passthrough space in workrooms to see your keyboard and mouse. Also if you have a bluetooth keyboard you can bring it virtually into your space. but only a few keyboards are supported.

[zane]

I agree with you and I'm holding my breath for a better desktop replacement system that doesn't have to compete with gaming:

A- lightweight simple AR set with quick pass through, and
2- practical cable that plugs in to a computer or something in your pocket if necessary for the design, and
3- good resolution for reading text
4- hand gestures instead of a controller.

[sproket]

There are a bunch of keyboards that appear in virtual space on the Pro. It works great.

[DJ-Illuminate]

Can't believe how far we have come since 2014. I remember my gaming computer and being amazed at Oculus demos and getting huge motion sickness after. I had sensors setup on my office walls. LOL.

[driver]

You can track Apple wireless keyboard natively in the software and get it to show up in immersed as well as Hirizon workroom. This is also true for surface pro keyboards and some Bluetooth Logitech models like the K400 with track pad. More keyboards to come.

[mikelockett]

A number of the issues mentioned in the video would be addressed by using Immersed instead of Workrooms. But, Workrooms is more stable overall and simplified, so I use them both interchangeably. Also, as there is keyboard tracking for certain keyboards, and I find that it works decently well.

[FlockofSmeagles]

Meta needs to realize that work rooms needs to be completely customizable. There are billions behind this project. They could do it. They really could.

[awzsdrcfgybhjimklp]

Dude I just got back from Best buy and was just about to make a video on this headset after watching many videos because none of them really answered my questions, but this was gold.

[issawrapppp]

You do realize they support tracked keyboards in VR, right?

Also, immersed on Wi-Fi Direct is way better than Workrooms. The resolution on workrooms screens is GARBAGE, you can super sample in Immersed and it looks like 1440P.