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Ask HN: Can VR headsets replace (multiple) monitors?

by messo on 5/12/21, 10:45 PM with 9 comments

• by jmiskovic on 5/13/21, 12:33 PM

  I spent maybe close to hundred hours developing in VR. That's because I develop for VR, so it eliminates a lot of friction when iterating on code. I'm using Quest 1 which is really not high resolution.

  For non-VR code I wouldn't use the headset at this stage. Even for VR, any refactoring or more involved work happens on standard monitor. This is because of low resolution, lack of headset comfort, and occasional issues with tracking.

  Often mentioned VR work benefit is countless virtual monitors. I don't buy into that one. You can only see 1 or 2 virtual screens with decent readability, and the keyboard position limits your rotation. With more than 2 screens it also becomes workspace management issue. Just like with too many terminals, browser tabs, workspaces... They require maintenance and VR software support isn't there yet.

  On the other hand one benefit that nobody mentioned so far is improved focus. It seems to be much easier to get into the flow and keep working. With less distractions I can stay focused and goal-oriented much easier than on traditional setup. Maybe that's because my procrastination habits have still not developed in virtual environment?

• by proc0 on 5/12/21, 11:35 PM

  No, at least not for long periods of time, and I would assume needing lots of screens means using them a lot as well. I have a Vive and a Rift, and playing games for an hour or two is no comparison to working and reading on screen for the same amount of time.

  That said, I'm hoping for this tech to evolve quickly. I think a lighter headset is a must, and also with few points of contact on the head, maybe a two-piece wearable.

• by jedberg on 5/12/21, 10:55 PM

  That's basically the premise of Immersed (https://immersed.com). I've used the product and it was good enough resolution, and having what amounted to 6 monitors in a space that fits on my head is nice.

  I think the biggest advantage is that you can take it with you pretty easily. It's not easy to carry around a bunch of big monitors, but the VR headset fits in your luggage.

  You just better be good at touch typing. :)

  (Disclosure, I'm an investor in Immersed)

• by messo on 5/12/21, 10:54 PM

  I just found a live stream [0] done by Drew DeVault one year ago that partly answers my question: Yes it is possible, but it does look kinda awkward as you have to move your head around more. I guess this is an effect of too low resolution, having to push the windows close enough to your face to comfortable read?

  0: https://spacepub.space/videos/watch/691f2bc1-d4bf-4051-a035-...

• by high_byte on 5/13/21, 9:37 AM

  I have Oculus Quest 2 and currently the resolution is a tiny bit lacking. in the near future, for sure. I think AR would be better for this task because it's really annoying when you try to type and end up spilling your coffee

• by Bootstrapper909 on 5/12/21, 10:48 PM

  The question before can should be why?

  Code being 2d and not immersive, I don't see any benefit using VR over a monitor.