Windows Mixed Reality Headsets Are Already 50 Percent Off
- Paul Thurrott
- Jan 19, 2018
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Once described as the “next wave,” Windows Mixed Reality is already heading for the bargain bin just three months after its initial release. But there’s a silver lining to this development: At roughly $200, a Windows Mixed Reality headset is pretty close to “no-brainer” territory.
What’s not clear is whether these prices are permanent or just a temporary sale. So if you were on the fence with regards to buying one, now is the time to jump. Here’s what’s available:
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- HP: Sale price is $199, normal price is $450
- Dell: Sale price is $211, normal price is $450
- Acer: Sale price is $219, normal price is $400
- Lenovo: Sale price is $247, normal price is $400
(Note: These are affiliate links, but to my knowledge, Amazon.com is the only place offering them at these prices right now.)
My advice is to get the HP, as these devices—which all come with the Motion Controllers too—are basically identical from a specifications/functionality perspective. You might as well save as much as you can.
As for the fate of Windows Mixed Reality, I don’t see the platform disappearing even if these prices are permanent. I’ve never seen this as “the next wave,” as Microsoft claimed for quite some time. (It’s since backed away from that.) But it really is pretty good, and as I noted previously, the addition of SteamVR compatibility does put it over the top. The next cheapest PC-based VR headset, the Oculus Rift, is about $400 now.
Go forth and save, yon VR fans.
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Conversation 50 comments
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skane2600
<p>Like 3D, VR will remain a niche unless they can ditch the headgear.</p>
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skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#239378"><em>In reply to PeteB:</em></a></blockquote><p>You're missing the point. The common element is the need to mount the required equipment on your head which most people have a low tolerance for. </p>
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Bats
<blockquote><a href="#239170"><em>In reply to MutualCore:</em></a></blockquote><p>People know this as VR. There is no need to advertised this or sell the"category."</p>
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Bats
<p>This clearly, not a good sign. Quite frankly, I am not surprised as I even predicted quite some time back, when this platform was announced as reasons for this existence made no sense at….particularly at that price point. Think about it. If <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Oculus Rift was a spectacular fail, this was heading in that direction as well. Who is actually going to buy a $400+ PC Accessory and "Clothing" accessory to enhance his or her computing experience? For Gamers? Yes. Casual users? No. </span></p><p><br></p><p>Microsoft's Mixed Reality and Virtual Reality are basically the same thing…..in the eyes of the regular and normal people. Of course, Microsoft is late to the game ALREADY! Virtual Reality headsets on mobile end is already evolving to the point of being phone-free. Not that it's a big deal, but the platform has already improved. With Microsoft's "hybrid" platform, it's not only WIRED to a source, but that source is a full fledged computer. This, without question, is strictly a niche device.</p><p><br></p>