Last month, Microsoft announced that they are currently working on the Windows 10 Creators Update which will be rolled out in the Spring of 2017. They also said that they have shaken hands with companies like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo to make affordable VR headsets. These will be launched along with the Creators Update. Now, Microsoft has revealed Windows 10 VR headsets minimum requirements.
The firm also confirmed that the starting price will be from $299. They also confirmed that it will be based on HoloLens Headset as well as Windows Holographic Environment. That is it. No further information was revealed such as the system requirements that were necessary to ensure a smooth working of the upcoming VR headsets.
Windows 10 VR Headsets Minimum Requirements
Now, a report published by The Verge removes the curtains from that mystery. The latest test build of Windows 10 (yes, the beta only) includes a ‘Windows Holographic First Run” which allows users to run a test which will help them determine if their system is compatible or not.
Also see :- Microsoft developed first Speech-recognition System that is as accurate as humans.
The tests reveal that the requirements are not going to be big or extreme like in the case of phones. They are something like this :-
- 4GB of RAM
- USB 3.0 port
- Graphics card which supports DirectX 12
- Quad-core or dual-core CPU, but the latter should have hyper-threading (Intel Core i3 or Core i7, i5 does not support hyper-threading)
As a matter of fact, they are pretty basic that nowadays almost all laptops and PCs have. Unless you are still using a laptop from 2010, chances are that you will easily cover all of them. This means that you do not need to have a top of the line machine with all the top-notch specifications in order to experience the Windows VR system.
More on Windows 10 VR Headsets minimum requirements
However, one thing worth mentioning is that the above-mentioned pre-requisites will suffice for ‘most experiences’. There is a possibility that these minimum requirements might not be enough to get the most out of the upcoming VR headsets.
The Verge said that Microsoft will shed more light on the VR headsets on an event this December. Currently, the full holographic shell is unavailable for devices like HTC Vive. The First Run app, however, is available in the test builds. That could change in the upcoming weeks as Microsoft is expected to reveal more about its plans relating to VR.
Also see :- Good news for Gamers. Microsoft confirms Xbox Scorpio will support 4K gaming.
What else?
It is an important move to bring the VR experience to the masses. Though it is pricier than Google Daydream (US $79), it sounds like it will be much more fun. Why? Hey, it will not be just your smartphone dangling in front of your eyes; it will be the complete Windows 10 experience!
With the likes of Oculus Rift and HTC Vive still sitting in a higher price bracket, will Windows 10 VR headset be able to stand in front of them? Nobody knows. All we can do is waiting for it. That is all for now. Stay tuned for more updates on Windows 10 VR headsets minimum requirements and other news from around the world.
