Developers and enthusiasts alike will soon be able to explore Virtual Reality right from the Mac, which is great news for everyone. If you're new to what options are available with VR, or you're curious what the differences will be between VR on a Mac and VR elsewhere, this FAQ will walk you through the basics.
Virtual reality is epic to the serious gamer. You can step inside the game and often manipulate your surroundings. Placing a VR headset on is stepping into another world, and our game world will.
Why didn't VR work on the Mac before? What changed?
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- Aug 28, 2017 I thought about getting a Windows PC earlier this year, as there no Mac that was capable of VR gaming, due to the sub-optimal GPUs. All that changed when I saw the WWDC keynote, where Industrial Light & Magic demonstrated how the 2017 27-inch iMac could pump out excellent VR visuals with the HTC Vive.
Virtual Reality is a combination of multiple technologies, but the big thing which pulls them all together is the VR headset. There are several available to purchase today, but in order to provide a quality visual experience inside the headset, there are certain hardware and software requirements which must be met. The two biggest requirements, a high-end graphics card and support from particular gaming engines, had not previously been met by Apple.
At WWDC, Apple announced support for eGPU enclosures, so bigger graphics cards can be added to MacBooks without compromising the historically quiet experience from these computers. In addition, the first iMac Pro to be released later this year will have internal hardware capable of supporting VR headsets with no additional hardware.
Apple has also announced support from Unity, Unreal Engine, and SteamVR. These three critical software components ensure a significant majority of VR apps and games currently enjoyed elsewhere will be supported on the Mac.
What is an eGPU enclosure?
For this purpose, it's a box designed to sit alongside your computer and hold large desktop-class graphics cards. This enclosure is connected to your Mac over Thunderbolt 3 and allows your Mac to use that graphics card as though it were installed in your computer. With support from this more capable graphics card, your Mac will have enough graphics power to drive a VR headset.
Currently, Apple is offering a $599 bundle to developers with an enclosure made by Sonnet and an AMD Radeon RX 580 graphics card, but when macOS High Sierra is available this fall, there will be multiple graphics cards and enclosures for consumers to choose between for this setup.
What else does my Mac need to handle VR?
There are currently no minimum system requirements available specifically for the Mac, but HTC lists this as the minimum system requirements for Windows PCs.
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX 8350
- Graphics card: NVIDIA GTX 970 or AMD Radeon R9 290
- RAM: 4GB
Apple started using the Intel Core i5-4590 in the iMac starting with the 27-inch 5K model released in Mid 2015 and the MacBook Pro started using this model or greater in the Early 2015 models. This means if you have something newer than a Mid-2015 iMac or MacBook, you have the processor needed to run VR applications. As long as you also have 4GB of RAM, you will meet the minimum requirements when you add an eGPU enclosure with your graphics card of choice.
Which VR headsets are supported?
The only VR headset on display and in demos at WWDC right now is the HTC Vive. This headset is powered by the SteamVR platform, which was announced as part of the VR for Mac support package and offers the most complete VR experience for users at the moment.
That having been said, SteamVR supports multiple VR headsets, so it's likely we will see additional headsets supported before the Fall.
How do I get started?
Developers can head to Apple's support documentation right now for information on how to get started with VR for the Mac and Metal 2. According to Epic Games, Unreal Engine will be available in preview form starting in September and officially released for High Sierra in October.
If you are not a developer, the best thing for you to do right now is wait for the official release of macOS High Sierra. If you want to get ready for VR in your home or office, check out the Ultimate Guide to HTC Vive from our friends at VR Heads to get yourself fully prepared for VR on your Mac!
Virtual Reality: What you need to know!
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BestDesktop PCs for VRWindows Central2020
To fully enjoy a PC-based VR experience, you need a computer that has particular hardware that can meet specific performance requirements. If you don't want to go through the hassle of building an entirely new PC to get there, we've rounded up some tremendous pre-built desktop PCs, like the Alienware Aurora R9, which is built from the ground up with performance and unique design in mind, making it your best bet for an ultimate VR desktop.
Best Overall: Alienware Aurora R9
There are quite a few configuration options available for the Aurora R9, with a high-end model sporting up to dual NVIDIA RTX 2080 Super graphics cards (GPU), a 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS processor (CPU), 64GB of HyperX DDR4-2933MHz RAM, and a 2TB M.2 PCIe solid-state drive (SSD) coupled with a 2TB hard-disk drive (HDD). A Wi-Fi 6 adapter can be added for blazing wireless speeds, and you can even add water cooling with an 850W PSU. This is no doubt some serious overkill, even for a stellar VR experience, and a mid-range option is in your best interest.
Spending a little more than $1,000 will get you a PC with 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700 CPU, NVIDIA RTX 2060 GPU with 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM, 16GB of dual-channel HyperX DDR4-2666MHz RAM, and a 256GB M.2 PCIe SSD coupled with a 1TB SATA HDD. That's significantly cheaper than the high-end model, and you're still going to get a killer VR experience for Vive, Rift, Windows Mixed Reality (WMR), and Valve Index platforms.
The hardware is all contained in a sleek case that has seen a redesign since the R8 model. It's available in two colors, it still has a PSU swing arm to allow easy access for upgrades and tinkering, and there's a boatload of ports for easy connectivity. On the front are three USB-A 3.1, USB-C 3.1, and 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks. The rear has plenty more, including giving USB-A 2.0, USB-C 3.1, four USB-A 3.1, RJ45 Ethernet, and many audio inputs and outputs for setting up surround sound. Customizable lighting on the outside of the case accents the lines and gives you some extra style to boot.
Pros:
- Powerful configurations available
- Tool-less access
- Has the right ports for VR
- Programmable lighting
- Sturdy, unique chassis
Best Overall
Alienware Aurora R9
Style, power, and ports
There plenty of configuration options that will handle VR content, and no matter what you choose inside, it all comes in an attractive case.
Source: HP
You'll often pay more the luxury of having your PC built for you, but in the case of HP's Omen Obelisk, it's no doubt a close call. This specific model has inside a 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K CPU with eight cores and a 3.60GHz base clock speed. This is backed up by an NVIDIA RTX 2080 Super GPU with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM. Considering these two pieces of hardware purchased alone cost about $1,300, you can see why this PC is popular. Rounding out the specs is 32GB of HyperX DDR4-2666MHz RAM and a 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD with fast read and write speeds.
The case it's all contained in isn't quite as exciting as Alienware's Aurora R9, but many people will no doubt prefer the understated look. It's primarily covered in a black finish with red highlights, with a glass side panel that allows you to show off the internal hardware. The internal RGB lighting can be customized to match your other accessories. Everything is upgradeable, allowing you to keep the PC relevant long into the future.
Mac For Gaming
The front of the case includes a 3.5mm headphone and microphone combo, and two USB-A 3.1, while the rear has a USB-C 3.1, four USB-A 3.1 (Gen 1), and a USB-A 3.1 (Gen 2). Altogether, this PC should have no issues handling Rift, Vive, WMR, and Index VR platforms, and you should end up saving a few hundred dollars compared to our top pick. If you don't need as much power, HP also has some more affordable models available.
Pros
- Superb performance at a great price
- Understated design with custom RGB lighting
- Lots of ports, including USB-C
- Toolless entry for easy upgrades
- Can be overclocked
Cons
- May be overkill for your needs
- No Wi-Fi 6 option
Runner-up
HP Omen Obelisk
Mac Vr Gaming Computer Free
High-end performance without overspending
With 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K and NVIDIA RTX 2080 Super GPU running the show, you should have an amazing VR experience.
Mid-range pick: iBUYPOWER Element 9260
For the asking price of about $1,000, iBUYPOWER's Element 9260 has a lot to offer. It's powered by a 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9700F eight-core CPU with a base clock speed of 3.0GHz, coupled with an NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti GPU with 6GB of VRAM. This hardware together will deliver a suitable VR experience for all VR systems available now. It's all shown off inside a case with a full glass side panel and customizable RGB lighting on the fans.
There's a 1TB SATA HDD for bulk storage coupled with a 240GB SSD for fast startups, and it has 16GB of DDR4-2666MHz RAM. All parts can be upgraded after purchase to keep the PC relevant longer. A decent selection of ports — including four USB-A 3.0, two USB-A 2.0, RJ45 Ethernet, 3.5mm audio, and the stock video ports on the GPU — gives you plenty of connectivity for your accessories. Included in the price is a gaming keyboard and mouse, plus you get free lifetime tech support and a year of free parts and labor should anything go awry.
Pros
- Quite a bit of hardware for the price
- Excellent VR performance
- Slick case with RGB fans
- Lots of ports
- Keyboard and mouse included
Mid-range pick
iBUYPOWER Element 9260
Lots of power at a reasonable price
This PC has the performance to power your VR experience, and its price makes it accessible to more people.
Source: Origin
If you'd rather not buy parts separately and put together your own VR PC at home, Origin is a great place to turn to. You start by picking color and lighting for a case, then move along and pick every single part that goes into it, including motherboard, power supply, cooling, and OS, as well as the more common bits like CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage.
Despite the relatively compact size of the case, you can pack quite a bit of performance; spec one up with an AMD or Intel CPU (up to Ryzen 9 3900X or 9th Gen Core i9-9900K), up to an NVIDIA RTX Titan GPU with 24GB of VRAM, and up to a 4TB SSD.
This definitely isn't the cheapest entry into VR, and prices do climb quickly once you get into high-end hardware, but this will undoubtedly be your PC when it arrives.
Pros
- Plenty of performance hardware available
- Can choose lighting and colors
- Has the ports needed for VR
- Feels like you built it yourself
- Relatively compact case
Best Customization
Origin Chronos
A pre-built PC that feels like you built it
Origin will build you a desktop PC capable of VR from a vast range of options that fit both your budget and your desires.
Bottom line
When it comes to getting the perfect PC for VR, sometimes you don't want to have to build a new one from scratch. Luckily, there are plenty of pre-built PCs on the market that can handle the power of VR. You generally need a PC with a powerful graphics card, a mid-range processor, at least 8GB of RAM, and enough ports to handle the headset and any sensors.
The Alienware Aurora R9 has plenty of VR-ready configuration options up for offer, all contained in a stylish chassis with enough ports for all your headsets and sensors. You get a sturdy warranty, and support is available if needed.
There is a budget option available for well less than $1,000 that will get VR off the ground, but for a much smoother experience, we recommend a mid-range configuration. In any case, you'll be able to upgrade the PC to keep it relevant long into the future thanks to easy-access case and unique PSU swing arm that leaves plenty of room for tinkering. It's all contained in a redesigned chassis that is sleek and undoubtedly unique.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Cale Hunt Cale Hunt is a staff writer at Windows Central. He focuses mainly on PC, laptop, and accessory coverage, as well as the emerging world of VR. He is an avid PC gamer and multi-platform user and spends most of his time either tinkering with or writing about tech.
Daniel Rubino is the executive editor of Windows Central. He has been covering Microsoft since 2009 back when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, Surface, HoloLens, Xbox, and future computing visions. Follow him on Twitter: @daniel_rubino.
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