If you’re looking for the best Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) laptops of 2017, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve reviewed a number of the best laptops for Windows 10 WMR and can tell you that the Acer Windows Mixed Reality is a great option for anyone looking to buy a WMR laptop.
Windows Mixed Reality is a new operating system from Microsoft, which enables the creation of mixed reality headsets. The headset has a display that goes over your eyes and two sensors at the sides of your head. The headset then connects to a Windows computer and is the center of your mixed reality experience. You can use your computer’s programs, play games or even work in a virtual environment. The headset’s display is a bit similar to the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. It is a bit higher resolution and there are no cables between the headset and the computer. The headset is also a lot lighter than the Oculus Rift and Vive.
Windows Mixed Reality is a new technology that aims to deliver the best of both worlds: the freedom and convenience of virtual reality and the productivity of traditional computing. It is an exciting way to interact with computers and the web and a fun reason to upgrade your computer. Here are some of the best laptops for Windows Mixed Reality.
Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) has arrived, bringing with it comfy headsets and a fantastic VR experience. There are two types of WMR: standard and Ultra, each of which requires different hardware to meet the performance requirements. We’ve gathered up some of the finest Ultrabooks out there that also happen to have the ports required to connect everything in to assist you decide out which laptop is ideal for both kinds of WMR.
Mixed Reality on Windows (regular)
Standard WMR runs at about 60Hz (60 frames per second), and although it doesn’t provide as smooth an image, it doesn’t need as powerful a PC. We’ve got a nice mix of laptops here that can serve as daily productivity devices while also meeting WMR standards.
XPS 13 (Dell)
Thanks to its thin form and near-zero bezel surrounding the 13.3-inch display, the XPS 13 (beginning at about $800) has long been a favorite (1080p or 1800p). Allow the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 to manage the WMR load with an eighth-generation Intel Core i7-8550U CPU, 16GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 1TB PCIe SSD.
While there isn’t a DisplayPort or HDMI port, the USB-C Thunderbolt 3 connection can connect your WMR headset with the appropriate adaptor.
ENVY 17 by HP
An eighth-generation Intel Core i7-8550U processor (CPU), 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1TB PCIe solid-state drive (SSD), and an NVIDIA GeForce MX150 graphics card (GPU) with 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM are included in HP’s redesigned ENVY series (about $1,400). While the 17.3-inch display is not touch-enabled, it does feature a 4K resolution that produces a beautiful image.
There are HDMI 1.4, USB-C 3.1, three USB-A 3.1, and Ethernet connections, as well as an IR camera that supports fast Windows Hello logins.
9-inch Samsung Notebook
The Notebook series of computers from Samsung is almost criminally underappreciated. This is a fantastic choice for anybody with the budget, with a 13.3-inch 1080p display, an ultra-light chassis, and strong technology within; a setup suitable for Windows Mixed Reality begins at about $900.
An Intel Core i5-7200U processor, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and Intel HD Graphics 620 are included. The 256GB SSD provides enough storage, while two USB-A 3.0 connections and an HDMI port allow you to connect anything. Check out the Samsung Notebook 9 for a notebook that’s nearly impossibly light.
ThinkPad X1 Carbon from Lenovo
For those in the corporate world, you’re probably searching for something that will look nice in meetings and will withstand whatever you throw at it, even WMR. Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon is light and powerful, yet it still has a lot of the features you’d expect from a ThinkPad.
A system with an Intel Core i5-7200U processor, 8GB DDR3 RAM, a 256GB SSD, and Intel HD Graphics 620 costs about $1,500. When it comes to pricing, this is certainly on the higher end of the scale, but the thin, flexible chassis has all of the ports required for WMR, and having a trustworthy business partner in the real world is essential.
Spectre x360 from HP
If you like the design of the ENVY but want a convertible, the HP Spectre x360 (beginning at $1,300) is a good option. Enjoy the 15.6-inch 4K display with an Intel Core i7-8550U CPU, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1TB PCIe SSD, and an NVIDIA GeForce MX150 GPU with 2GB of GDDR5 VRAM.
This laptop’s convertible form and accompanying pen enable you to use it in a variety of ways, and it comes with all the ports you’ll need to set up a typical WMR experience.
Ultra Windows Mixed Reality
WMR Ultra is designed to run at 90 frames per second for a more fluid picture and overall experience, although it does need a PC with a dedicated GPU. These laptops are on the cusp of becoming good gaming machines, but they can also be used as daily drives.
Inspiron 15 7577 Dell Inspiron 15 7577 Dell Inspiron 15 7577
Dell’s Inspiron 15 7577 offers a lot to offer for a reasonably cheap price (beginning at about $900). It features all of the connections you’ll need for a WMR Ultra setup, including HDMI 2.0, three USB-A 3.1 ports, and USB-C Thunderbolt 3, and the 15.6-inch 1080p display (also available in 4K) isn’t to be overlooked even if you’re not wearing a WMR headset.
On the inside, you’ll find a seventh-generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1TB HDD with a 512GB PCIe SSD, and a dedicated NVIDIA GTX 1060 GPU with 6GB of GDDR5 VRAM. Give these laptops a look if you want significant power without paying a lot of money.
Acer Aspire 7 is an Acer laptop computer.
The Acer Aspire 7 (about $970) has all the connections you’ll need for a WMR Ultra experience, including HDMI 2.0, USB-C Thunderbolt 3, and USB-A 3.0. The 15.6-inch display has a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels and, although not touch-enabled, provides a good viewing experience when you’re not in WMR.
A seventh-generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ CPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a dedicated NVIDIA GTX 1050 GPU with 2GB of GDDR5 VRAM make up the performance components.
Lenovo Yoga 720 15 inch laptop
The 15-inch version of Lenovo’s Yoga 720 (beginning at about $950) is one of our favorite laptops from the last year, due to its attractive flexible design and solid performance.
A seventh-generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1TB PCIe SSD, and a dedicated NVIDIA GTX 1050 GPU with 2GB of GDDR5 VRAM are all available. While you’ll need an adapter for the Thunderbolt 3 connection, the 15.6-inch touch display is available in both 1080p and 4K, and everything else should fall into place for a seamless WMR Ultra experience.
XPS 15 by Dell
The Dell XPS 15 is a bit of a sleeper due to its executive appearance. Yes, they’re a little expensive, but they come with some excellent hardware and a sleek chassis to keep it all together. A seventh-generation Intel Core i5-7300HQ CPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, a 256GB solid-state drive, and an NVIDIA GTX 1050 GPU with 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM can be had for about $1,200. With this laptop, operating WMR will be a breeze.
Dell has done an excellent job of almost removing the bezel around the 15.6-inch, 1080p display, and the 97WHr battery will keep you going all day. With HDMI 1.4, this laptop can run regular WMR straight out of the box, but a USB-C to HDMI converter is required for full Ultra WMR.
Surface Book 2 by Microsoft
Microsoft’s 13- and 15-inch Surface Book 2 (beginning at about $1,500) may be worth a look if your budget is unrestricted. The bigger model has an NVIDIA GTX 1060 with 6GB of GDDR5 VRAM, while the smaller model has a dedicated GPU. Get up to an eighth-generation Intel Core i7-8650U processor, 16GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 1TB SSD, all housed in a compact, modular chassis.
You’ll need a USB-C to HDMI converter since there are two USB-A 3.0 ports and one USB-C port. Aside from that, you’re looking at an Ultra WMR experience powered by one of today’s finest Ultrabooks.
Additional resources
If you’re looking for a laptop that’s just for gaming and has the power to run any VR system, you’re in luck. We offer a variety of choices that should satisfy your requirements. Also, have a look at these other resources for more information about Windows Mixed Reality.
The following information was updated on December 23, 2017: This list has been updated to guarantee that you’re receiving the finest laptops with Windows Mixed Reality.
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The best laptops for Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) are those that are the right combination of price, performance and features. There are many great WMR laptop options out there, but we’ve narrowed it down to three that meet our requirements. The HP Spectre x360, Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset and the Lenovo Explorer.
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