Augmented reality has long promised to transform the way we work, but until recently, most attempts felt like novelty rather than necessity. That might be changing with Spacetop, a new AR productivity software platform from Sightful. When paired with the Xreal Air 2 Ultra AR glasses, Spacetop delivers a surprisingly functional—and sometimes even comfortable—way to use your Windows PC on a massive, virtual canvas.

You may remember Sightful from its earlier Spacetop G1 prototype, a screenless laptop powered by AR glasses. While that concept didn’t go mainstream, the company has since pivoted to focus exclusively on software. The result is a refined AR productivity platform now available as part of a $899 bundle that includes the $699 glasses and a one-year Spacetop subscription, valued at $199/year.

To run Spacetop, users need a Windows laptop equipped with at least an Intel Core Ultra 7 (Meteor Lake), but the payoff is a productivity experience unlike anything else currently on the market. Plugging in the AR glasses activates a floating, 100-foot virtual canvas where users can open apps, move windows, and interact with their desktop in midair.

The visual experience is surprisingly immersive. In practice, it’s possible to lounge on a couch, look straight ahead, and see a display several times larger than a 65-inch OLED TV—all without craning the neck downward toward a traditional screen. Users can shift, tilt, or reposition the virtual canvas using keyboard shortcuts or click-and-drag gestures, and an elegant UI bar at the bottom provides quick access to apps, system info, and Spacetop’s custom launcher.

There’s even a “Travel Mode” toggle that stabilizes the workspace during movement, useful for working on planes or trains. This mode engages the laptop’s sensors and neural processing unit to maintain canvas alignment.

While Spacetop still has limitations—occasional eye fatigue, display zoom adjustments, and a $200/year price tag—the benefits are tangible. Early testers have reported improved comfort during extended sessions, with reduced neck and back strain. And while gaming through Spacetop is more of a bonus than a selling point, the software handles light PC titles capably in both full-screen and windowed modes.

One key advantage of the platform is flexibility. Users can easily exit Spacetop to return to the default Windows AR view, which anchors a smaller desktop directly in front of the eyes—a useful fallback when consistency and clarity take priority over virtual screen real estate.

Sightful is now working with partners like Intel, SHI International, and Deutsche Telekom to roll out Spacetop in enterprise settings across the U.S. and Germany, with wider global expansion planned in 2025.

While AR computing still has hurdles to overcome—visual strain and pricing among them—Spacetop offers a compelling glimpse of what’s next. As display comfort improves and software matures, AR glasses could finally evolve from futuristic accessory to everyday productivity tool.