I recently purchased the Apple Vision Pro (M5) and spent several days testing it across the things I do every day—email, Slack, documentation, spreadsheets, WordPress, browsing, and even connecting it to my MacBook as an external display. It’s one of the coolest pieces of technology I’ve ever used. But after the initial awe wore off and I evaluated it through the lens of realistic, everyday productivity, I came to a tough conclusion: as impressive as it is, I can’t justify keeping it at its current price.
Let me walk through why.
First Impressions: Absolutely Jaw-Dropping
If there’s one thing Apple still does better than anyone else, it’s immersion. The Vision Pro nails this.
Photos Feel Unreal (Especially Panoramas)
Viewing panoramas on the Vision Pro was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The headset doesn’t just display a photo—it puts you inside the moment. Some of my panoramic shots felt like I was standing exactly where I took them, down to the sense of space and depth. Trying to describe it almost doesn’t do it justice.
Movies and Videos Are a Dream
I caught up on NFL highlights of the week on a virtual screen the size of my living room wall. It felt ridiculous—in the best way. If all I wanted was an immersive media machine, the Vision Pro might actually be worth it.
Spatial Browsing: Surprisingly Impressive
Apple nailed the Safari experience. Browsing the web in spatial mode feels futuristic but also intuitive.
I even pulled up my own site and a post from USVI Life just to see how spatial images would render. It was wild—Safari turned the embedded photos into 3D-like scenes that made the content feel more alive and inviting. It wasn’t a gimmick; it genuinely felt like stepping into my blog posts.
Using It as a MacBook Display: Lots of Potential
One of the most appealing promised use cases is replacing or augmenting external monitors. Connecting the Vision Pro to my MacBook worked extremely well. The virtual display was large, crisp, and easy to work with.
There’s real potential here. But after several sessions, I realized something important: while it can function as a monitor, I wasn’t actually more productive than I am with a regular screen. The “wow” factor was huge—but the efficiency gains weren’t.
The Reality Check: Productivity Gains Just Aren’t There
For my workflow, the Vision Pro didn’t enhance productivity in any meaningful way. It was fun, it was futuristic, and it made mundane tasks feel novel. But when you step back and ask:
“Does this help me get more done?”
…the answer was no.
For a device I would realistically use 2–3 hours per day—mostly for work tasks and some browsing or video—the value just didn’t line up with the cost.
And the Price… Well, It’s Tough
Let’s talk numbers:
- Apple Vision Pro (M5)
- Case
- Belkin battery clip
Total (before tax): $3,750
Total with 7% tax for me: $4,012.50
Even at half this price, I’d still need to justify it. And I simply couldn’t.
Everything the Vision Pro does is incredible. But incredible isn’t the same as practical—at least not yet, and not for everyday work.
Looking Ahead: AR Glasses Might Be the Future
I’ve been following Apple’s shift in focus toward AR glasses, and that’s a direction that genuinely interests me. If Apple releases something lightweight and wearable all day—something that naturally enhances everyday tasks—that could be transformative.
I’d be far more likely to use glasses throughout the day than a headset for long periods. That’s where the real productivity upside might be.
Final Verdict: Amazing, but Not Justifiable (For Now)
The Apple Vision Pro (M5) exceeded every expectation I had for immersion, design, and innovation. It’s one of those devices that makes you say, “This is the future.”
But being the future isn’t the same as being something I can rationalize today—especially at a $4,000 price point.
For now, I’m waiting. I’m excited to see where Apple takes AR next. But at its current cost and current capabilities, the Vision Pro just doesn’t make sense for me.
