Virtual reality (VR) gaming laptops provide an immersive gaming experience on the go, but it’s essential to choose the right hardware specifications and brand to achieve smooth, lag-free gameplay. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know to select the perfect VR gaming laptop, including necessary hardware specifications, recommended brands, and available price ranges.
Introduction
Are you ready to tackle the virtual world on the go with a VR gaming laptop? If so, you need to know what to look for when purchasing one. VR gaming laptops are not like your run-of-the-mill machines. You need a combination of high-quality hardware specifications and build quality. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive VR gaming laptop buying guide, giving you the essential information you need to find the perfect portable gaming beast. Here we go!
Hardware Specifications for VR Gaming Laptops
Let’s start with the essential hardware specifications for your new VR-ready laptop:
- GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): The graphics card is one of the most vital components of a VR gaming laptop. You should look for the best-in-class graphics card, like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX series or AMD Radeon RX. Mid to high-range options are recommended so you can have steady battery life while in use.
- CPU (Central Processing Unit): A recent Intel 13th gen core processor or equivalent is recommended for smooth gameplay. It allows for better user control and a seamless gameplay experience.
- RAM (Random Access Memory): You need plenty of RAM for virtual reality, so consider a minimum of 16GB. This will help your laptop keep up with the increased processing needed for VR gameplay.
- Storage: Storage space should be upgradeable/storage options so you can fit all your games, movies, and other media. You cannot have too much storage.
- Display: Consider a 1080p display if you’re on a tight budget. However, the ideal resolution is 1440p. This’ll give you a clearer display for an even more immersive experience.
- Keyboard: A “regular” keyboard is recommended, with no special gaming design necessary. However, it’s important to check that the keyboard is suited for your typing style so you can quickly enter commands and navigate through games.
- Ports: A virtual reality headset requires a range of ports to connect successfully. These requirements can vary based on your preferred brand. You need to have the right ports that work with your headset and other accessories.
- Battery Life: VR gaming puts more stress on your hardware than conventional gaming. It’s recommended to buy a mid to high-end GPU to ensure a healthy battery life
Top Recommended VR Gaming Laptops
Now that we’ve covered essential hardware specifications, let’s dive into the top VR gaming laptops currently available:
Alienware m17 R4
This laptop is one of the most popular options for gamers looking for a VR-ready laptop. It features a 360Hz display, a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, a 10th-gen Intel Core i9-10980HK Processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. It’s thin, lightweight, and delivers a powerful performance even in the most demanding games.
Razer Blade 15
This sleek-looking laptop boasts a 15.6-inch Full HD display, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics card, a 10th-gen Intel Core i7-10750H CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. It’s thin and lightweight and runs games with excellent performance.
MSI GS66 Stealth Gaming Laptop
This 15.6-inch laptop has an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, making it perfect for VR gaming. It also features a powerful 11th-generation Intel Core i7-11800H processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD for storage. It’s even got Thunderbolt 4 support, making file transfers a breeze.
MSI GF65 Thin Gaming Laptop
This is a great budget option for VR gaming that offers an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, an Intel Core i5-9300H processor, 8GB RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD storage. It’s an excellent choice for users who can’t break the budget but still want decent performance.
Dell G5 15
This Dell laptop is an affordable VR gaming option featuring up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, an Intel Core i7-10750H Processor, up to 16GB RAM, and up to 1TB SSD storage. Dell has also put an emphasis on cooling technology, which won’t overheat your laptop, even during heavy gaming sessions.
Alternative Options
If you want to build your own pre-built VR-ready desktop PC or need an alternative option for a VR gaming laptop, here are some options:
Pre-built Desktop Computers
Going with a pre-built desktop computer allows you to get a gaming rig with a powerful processor, plenty of RAM, and great graphics cards that’ll be $200 to $300 cheaper than buying a VR-ready laptop of the same specifications.
Shadow PC
Shadow PC is an excellent alternative for those who don’t want to invest in a VR-ready laptop. Shadow PC is a cloud-based gaming service where all the games run on Shadow’s servers, and you control them with a device of your choice.
Building Your Own VR-Ready Gaming PC
If you are willing to build your PC, the process can be a fun endeavor. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of going this route:
Pros:
- You get to choose every component, ensuring you get the highest level of customization.
- You can budget according to your needs and preferences.
- You have the option to upgrade later on as per your convenience.
Cons:
- Building your own VR-ready gaming PC is a more time-intensive process.
- It requires some technical knowledge to ensure everything is running properly.
- Warranties may be less robust than those coming with laptops directly from manufacturers.
Conclusion
This comprehensive VR gaming laptop buying guide covers essential specifications, recommended brands, and pricing options. When shopping for a VR-ready laptop, you should consider the form factor, build quality, cooling technology, available brands, hardware specifications, and budget. With expert reviews of models like the MSi GS65 Stealth, Alienware m15, HP Omen X 2S, Gigabyte Aero 15, Lenovo Legion Y545, and Hidevolution ASUS ROG Mothership. Plus, alternative options like Shadow PC, there’s something for everyone. A powerful dedicated GPU, sufficient processing power, and enough RAM are important specifications to look out for to guarantee a seamless VR gameplay experience. Regardless of the brand you choose, make sure you pick a VR gaming laptop that fits your specific needs, and you’ll be ready to conquer the virtual world on the go.
Luca Booth is a pioneering voice in the intersection of technology and spatial design, and the lead author at VPR Matrix. With a background in architectural design and a passion for the latest in virtual reality innovations, Luca brings a unique perspective to the world of VR architectural design.