PC gamers who need a fluid and futureproof VR-ready computer will appreciate the versatility and impressive specs of the Alienware Aurora R10.
Intensely powerful and speedy performance. Runs cool under pressure. Blazing-fast WiFi. Lag-free gameplay. Plenty of ports. Easy to upgrade. Stylish LED lighting. Available in white and black.
Its sci-fi aesthetic is not for everyone.
A powerful gaming PC made with the latest technology to deliver high performance and fluid gaming.
It has an Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB gaming memory, and an Nvidia Geforce RTX 3080 graphics card. Four RGB fans allow for improved airflow and a 1TB SSD for local storage. Plus, it comes with a gaming keyboard and mouse.
The fans are loud, and the RGB lights cannot be turned off.
With 32GB of high-bandwidth RAM, 1 1TB SSD, and an Intel Core i7 beneath the shell, this laptop is a steal for the price.
The high-bandwidth memory performs far better than many other laptops do at the price. The anti-glare 15.6" FHD screen with touch looks and performs well while you use it. You get a USB 2.0 port, 2 USB 3.2 ports, a headphone jack, and more.
The keys can be hard for some to read.
HP’s Omen 30L is an impressive VR-ready computer out of the box, but its innovative design makes this tower a breeze to upgrade in the future.
Powerful performance. Easily play modern games at the highest visual settings. Easy to upgrade as needed. Optimized for multitasking. Variety of ports. Slick RGB lighting.
Runs fairly warm.
The OMEN 25L is a must-have for anyone who values visually impressive and lag-free VR gaming.
Crisp graphics. Consistently smooth gameplay. Lightning-fast Wi-Fi speeds. Array of ports available. Large case is easy to upgrade. Customizable LED lighting.
Its fan can get a little noisy at times.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
Virtual reality (VR) applications — whether for viewing movies, live video, or gaming — are catching on quickly. But you can’t get a high-quality experience at home with just any computer. VR requires a powerful computer system that can process large amounts of data and output it to the user’s VR headset and controllers.
The computers best suited to VR have plenty of built-in processing power and also have a top-notch graphics card specifically built for VR. These processors generate a lot of heat, so a quality cooling system is essential. However, these are just the basic requirements for a VR-ready computer. Users looking to step up to one of these powerful systems will have plenty of additional questions. How big does the processing unit’s casing need to be? Can a laptop offer the same quality VR experience as a tower?
Computers for VR need serious technological muscle or their performance won’t just be bad — it’ll be terrible. When a gaming computer doesn’t quite have the memory or graphics processing capability to render a 2-D experience, the biggest problem is a slowdown of the game. When a VR game suffers performance problems, the jitter and slower frame rate can make you feel physically ill.
Because of this, choosing a computer for VR means looking for units with top-end graphics cards, excellent processing capability, and the ability to perform at peak for long periods. Buying a lower-end computer for VR applications may be fine at first, but the lower-priced components are often from previous generations of graphics cards and processors, and they may not keep up with the rapidly changing technology in the VR market — meaning you will need to upgrade sooner than expected, which adds to the cost of a computer.
Virtual reality fans take different approaches to the cost-vs.-performance dilemma. Top-rated computers for VR — both desktop and laptop — can be purchased ready to run the latest VR programs out of the box. But that tends to be the most expensive option. To save on upfront costs, expert computer users often purchase components to upgrade their computers, spreading out the total cost over time. The disadvantage to that is obvious: it takes time, sometimes weeks or months, to upgrade and tune a system. Buying a VR-ready computer is convenient and will get you up and running your favorite VR apps and games in just a few minutes.
Tower: The best-performing computers for VR are desktop units — especially those whose CPU (central processing unit) is housed in a tower casing. Part of the reason is that high-performance computers tend to run hot — very hot. There is room within most towers for multiple cooling fans. Some even have liquid-cooled components to further boost performance. Tower units can also be easier to upgrade and configure.
Laptop: There are several gaming laptops on the market that handle the demands of VR very well. Laptops offer convenience and portability so that you can take that VR experience with you almost anywhere you want to go. Some can be upgraded to improve graphics performance, memory, or storage.
Computers for VR have similar performance specifications and requirements. These can make a new user’s head spin, but the important thing to keep in mind is that the computer needs to meet the minimum requirements listed below. As long as the computer’s specifications are at or above these minimums (suggested by the manufacturers of the Oculus Rift VR headset), its performance should at least be adequate for the VR app or game you plan to run.
Computers with the above features will have the power necessary to drive VR performance. Other options, such as the size of the hard drive, are less important — unless you are looking for plenty of local storage.
If you already have a VR headset, make sure the computer that you’re considering meets the minimum specifications listed by the manufacturer. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a computer with performance specs that are higher than those minimums.
A computer for VR can be had for as little as $800 to $900 — but these also have graphics cards and processors at the lowest acceptable rates, and they may not be able to run newer VR apps and games. If you can spend $1,200 to $1,800, a much wider range of desktop and laptop units are available with much greater processing power and graphics capabilities. The highest-end computers for VR — and the highest performing — feature liquid cooling, dual fans, and other performance enhancers; these typically cost between $3,000 and $4,300 or higher.
Q. Will I be able to use different VR systems on the same computer?
A. The two biggest VR brands, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, can be used on any computer for VR. Keep in mind that each uses different connector configurations and different accessories. Make sure that your computer has the right configuration for both.
Q. Do VR systems need upgrades as frequently as computers do? How will this affect my purchase?
A. Virtual reality technology is changing constantly, but where you’ll see the biggest change is in the quality of the graphics used in VR. This may require you to upgrade the graphics card in your computer every couple of years in order to get the best experience. Buying a computer with a graphics card well above the minimum requirements for VR can reduce the need to upgrade as frequently.
Q. Can my eight-year-old use a VR system? I’ve heard that they aren’t recommended for kids.
A. While at least one VR manufacturer cautions against use by children under age 13, there is no set standard for age. A parent should supervise VR use and probably limit VR time to the same amount that is recommended for smartphone screen time — an hour or less per day.
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