I ditched my laptop for a pocketable mini PC and a pair of AR glasses

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Perception of the Article and Setup

  • Many readers felt the piece reads like sponsored content or affiliate-link bait, citing constant “best X” links and lack of hard specs (notably resolution and battery life).
  • Several doubt the author truly “ditched” their laptop, seeing it more as a short-term experiment written up for clicks.

Comparison to Laptops (Especially MacBook Air)

  • Frequent point: for similar or lower cost, a MacBook Air offers excellent battery life, integrated screen, keyboard, and minimal cables.
  • Critics note the mini-PC + AR glasses + keyboard + power bank bundle is heavier, bulkier, and more complex than advertised “pocketable.”
  • Others counter that if you already carry a keyboard/mouse and charger, swapping a NUC-like box for a laptop can be a net win, especially if you dislike laptop keyboards or screens.

AR Glasses as Monitors: Tech and Usability

  • Many AR glasses are essentially “dumb” USB‑C/DisplayPort monitors with some sensors; some newer models (e.g. Xreal One line) add on-glasses processing for virtual displays.
  • Resolution is universally 1080p today. For productivity, people emphasize pixels-per-degree (PPD) over raw pixels; 1080p often leads to blurry or eye-straining text, especially at the edges.
  • Experiences vary: some report Word ribbon text and coding are usable; others find fonts blurry, edges cut off, and long sessions unpleasant or headache-inducing.
  • Head-tracking / anchoring helps make large virtual screens workable but can introduce jitter or drift; some glasses do this better than others.
  • Prescription use needs inserts or built-in diopter adjustment; astigmatism especially requires custom lenses.

Use Cases That Work vs. Those That Don’t

  • Strong positive reports for:
    • Watching video in bed or on planes (privacy, “giant screen” in economy).
    • Short stints of email, docs, or light coding, especially with phone + DeX.
    • Bedridden or supine computing, ergonomic relief from laptop hunching, and working in bright sunlight.
  • Weak or negative for:
    • Full-time text-heavy work, serious coding, or multi-monitor productivity; people often revert to traditional displays.
    • Long comfort sessions (weight/heat with VR; eye strain and blur with AR).

Social, Practical, and Safety Considerations

  • Socially, some find glasses that hide eyes “disturbing” or “gargoyle-like,” though others think norms will shift as with early AirPods.
  • Setup complexity (multiple components/cables) and forgetting one piece are seen as real failure modes, unlike instant-on laptops.
  • Some mention regulatory/battery limits (power bank Wh), Chinese-origin trust concerns, and limited Linux / OSS support as additional friction.