How Apple Vision Pro Works With the Mac

Apple Vision Pro is a standalone hardware device that has its own processors and does not require a connection to a Mac or an iPhone to operate, but it is able to interface with other Apple devices. With the Mac, for example, the Vision Pro can serve as a Mac display.

apple vision pro mac
Apple says that there's a Mac Virtual Display feature that works wirelessly with the Mac. You can bring your Mac's display into Vision Pro and "place it anywhere in space." You can see each of your Mac apps individually, arranging them in a way that works for you.

According to Apple, the Vision Pro is meant to serve as a "private, portable 4K display" when used with a Mac. Connecting is as simple as looking at a compatible Mac while wearing the Apple Vision headset.

apple vision pro mac desktop
You can connect Mac accessories to the Vision Pro, including the Magic Keyboard and the Magic Trackpad for input purposes. Attaching Bluetooth accessories allows for a typical Mac workflow to continue to be used, with the display replaced by Vision Pro.

Vision Pro is set to launch in early 2024, so we won't know more about how it functions as an actual Mac display replacement until closer to that date. The headset is priced starting at $3,499.

Related Roundup: Apple Vision Pro
Buyer's Guide: Vision Pro (Neutral)
Related Forum: Apple Vision Pro

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Top Rated Comments

mozumder Avatar
25 months ago
This is gonna be the most sold-out thing ever. Probably a year long waitlist.

I'm anti-VR and even I'm thinking about getting it, if it works with the Mac like this. It's not enough for me to already be working in bed with a laptop under work-from-home - I also want to be able to work while just lying back half asleep.

I'll pay top dollar for anything that'll let me be just a little bit lazier.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alexandr Avatar
25 months ago
No, mom, I don't have any other windows open in my Vision Pro — just the one with algebra that you can see on my MacBook.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Will Co Avatar
25 months ago
As I understand it, this is effectively just a screen share. What would be very powerful is the ability to create multiple desktops on the Mac and left each into VisionPro. My Mac would then effectively be able to access enormous screen area, rather than one copy of its screen, albeit a large scale version.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mongobongo Avatar
25 months ago

I wonder if this is going to work with Macs that contain Intel Chip.
I can venture a wild guess...
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SSDGUY Avatar
25 months ago
Even it was just for a part of a work day, I can see this offering a great option for ergonomics. The abilty to relax in a chair with your head at any angle that's comfortable could bring some relief to an otherwise static posture. We all know looking down at a laptop is not good on the neck.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LandoTheLost Avatar
25 months ago
Alright Apple, hear me out. A reverse Apple TV that’s a bunch of HDMI inputs that can airplay to the Reality Pro
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)