This is a different take on why the VP is a market dud, at least to this point.
XR evangelists may continue promoting VisionPro as the breakout device, but we—and Apple, for that matter—should remember that “Pro” isn’t just branding. It reflects the narrow set of advanced use cases that justify immersion.
For most of us, computing still works best in a physical world that engages all five senses. And that’s not something XR can replicate—at least, not yet.
This article seems a little short sighted. The main argument is that VR provides a poor sensory experience and so will no appeal to most people.
Since when does modern computing involve all 5 senses ? A keyboard feels like a keyboard no matter what is on the screen. Apart from BO from too much screen time, smell is not engaged either. According to this article, I should prefer a walk to looking at a screen (I should, as it would befit me more) because of superior engagement.
Computers offer a shortcut, engagement is irrelevant.
VR can take it a step further. I like playing on my Quest 3 headset.
I can engage far more of my sense and include movement when playing VR boxing, swinging a sword, etc… My screen and playing time are limited as I only have so much cardiovascular fitness.
Minority report style interface is dumb. Why would I go through all those physical motions when I can manipulate things much easier with the keyboard. However , if I wanted to learn a new skill when my access is limited - sure why not? When learning a new physical skills- the real world wins hands down. But, if I wanted to visualize an unfamiliar surgery,or explore a dangerous environment, VR would be a great place to start. I tried VR flying - too real, I was getting motion sick.
The article is correct.The Apple Vision Pro is too expensive and limited to appeal to a large number of people. But, the possibilities a smaller, cheaper headset could bring are worth exploring.
VR could extend computing and learning towards a more kinaesthetic experience. On occasion , I would love to have to place data on plies with strings - with VR I would not be limited to the borders of my screen or the limits of my physical room. Throw in some concurrent metadata analysis, so a graphic on a board has more meaning than its appearance, and you now have a 3d space with spatial computing - a smart 3d “whiteboard”.
As I understand the article, when we are not in virtual space, we inhabit real space where all of our senses are engaged—including smell, even if we are not fully conscious of it. The argument appears to be that we think more clearly and retain more when our whole selves are involved in the experience. Wearing a VR headset, by contrast, truncates that engagement.
At least, that’s how I read the article.
I don’t actually disagree with this.
However, I would take it step further. To create a distinct memory, there has to be a difference is the associated senses. A keyboard is a keyboard and words on the screen are just words on a screen - I suspect this is why handwriting is touted over typing for retention. When I was a student , I could visualize my hand written notes - I did not have this experience with typed notes.
I do not think there is sufficient difference in casual computational experiences to form particularly distinct experiences. The article mentioned feeling a controller in the hand - I still feel the controller in the hand when playing a VR game, it just looks like a gun or a bow. I think that casual computing does not offer sufficiently varies sensory input to form distinct memories.
VR does truncate sight. I wonder what other problems will crop of from having screens that close to our face but out mind telling us that something is in the distance.
But, when playing a VR game, there is an information about the body being in space. This kinaesthetic experience is another sense. I feel far more engaged having to shoot aliens and block punches while in VR than playing on a flat screen. I am sweating at the end of gameplay (please see previous reference to poor cardiac fitness). The article does a poor job of mentioning engagement of movement and kinaesthetic senses. Although VR truncates the sense as the environment is artificial , it can bring movement and kinaesthesia into play.
Clearly you can not have this same engagement working on a spreadsheet. I also have to agree with the article - sometimes it is more efficient working on a screen in the real world. For casual computing it would make no sense, to involve movement - then you have the useless interfaces of Minority Report.
I think VR will bring experiences where transcending physical limitations of space or boundaries of a screen are useful. This will make it more useful to more users, but cost and comfort are important factors. At the same time I think we are in environmental and social trouble because our human constructs and abstractions have truncated us from the land and people.
Nothing beats a good walk with a dog.
I would assume that this would be the case for watching movies with a headset and to the extent that we watch them alone. However, we lose the social connectedness when using a headset or watching TV alone.
I never thought about the social consequences. This is a really good point. The social aspect of watching movies or playing games with a friend. My son plays virtually on multiplayer games, so I guess this is less of an issue.
However, I do not see the point of watching movies on a VR screen. Why watch in a replication of a 2d space ? Now if I could explore an environment in 3d space - like virtual travel, that would be more useful.
For VR to be more successful or useful , it would have to offer more than a replication of a 2d screen.
Certainly for $3,500. 
Yes there is that too. I was okay with the cost of the Quest. I could get some exercise during winter, It was far less than 3,500 US - this should be close to 6 million , Canadian.