The best VR laptops: these notebooks are ready for the Rift
And the HTC Vive, too
If you have one of the best VR laptops at your disposal, you can explore virtual worlds to your heart's content. Similar to some of the best gaming PCs, you have more options for VR gaming thanks to the VR capabilities of some of the best gaming laptops.
There are a number of headsets out there that you can pair with one of these laptops, such as Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and Playstation VR with Valve Index more recently joining them. They can bring all sorts of virtual realities to life. And, with one of these VR capable portables, you can get your VR gaming on no matter where you are.
Just know that the best VR notebooks are going to be on the pricey side. After all, new technology is always going to be a bit more expensive before it goes mainstream. Additionally, you’ll need to factor in the price of a headset. To get the PlayStation VR Iron Man VR Bundle will cost you $350 (about £270, AU$500) and VR gaming on PC costs even more. Take the Oculus Rift S headset, which goes for $399 (£399, about AU$600), or the HTC Vive Cosmos, which will set you back a hefty $699 (£699, about AU$995).
Prices will eventually come down as the technology bends to the will of Moore's Law, and VR-ready laptops and gadgets will be accessible to more people. But, if you want to step into the portable virtual reality world now, the best VR laptops are worth the investment.
- Need a budget laptop for productivity? A Chromebook might be ideal
1. MSI GS65 Stealth
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
One of the most impressive Nvidia Max-Q gaming laptops we’ve tested to date, the MSI GS65 Stealth tops our list as it outclasses most of its rivals as far as performance, looking good and classy doing so with its thin and sleek chassis. Of course, it’s VR ready as well, topping our list of the best VR laptops in 2019. It’s not faultless – the audio could be better, as could its heat management – but it more than makes up for those in power and aesthetic.
Read the full review: MSI GS65 Stealth
2. Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Asus ROG Zephyrus GX701 is one of the most powerful thin and light gaming laptops right now, boasting a 9th-generation i7 chip, Nvidia RTX 2060 graphics and 16GB RAM in its 0.7-inch thick chassis. That will get you through most powerful VR games, and the only thing that’ll be breaking a sweat is you. Its svelte design will let you squeeze in some gaming discreetly at a cafe, if you turn down the RGB lighting, though you might want to play some non-VR stuff then.
Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701
3. Razer Blade 2019
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Razer Blade 2019 is sharper than ever, touting powerful innards that will get you through the most demanding games, with the advanced model breezing through your favorite VR games. It comes with a much improved battery life as well, not to mention the Windows Hello camera that was missing in its previous version. All that power and frills come with a high price tag, but with a gaming laptop this intense, you’ll be more than satisfied with your albeit lofty purchase, which is why this is high on our best VR laptops list.
Read the full review: Razer Blade 2019
Take a look at our Razer discount codes for the best Razer offers and savings.
4. MSI GT75VR Titan
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The MSI GT75 Titan is already an incredible gaming laptop, so much so that we gave it high marks on our review. Yet this gaming desktop replacement also boasts a few VR models, taking gaming to the next level and you through the most demanding and best VR games without much effort. This isn’t something you’d carry with you to work or when traveling, as it is thick and hardly portable. Plus, the price tag is pretty steep. But if you want one of the best VR laptops on your desk, this one’s a win.
Read the full review: MSI GT75VR Titan
5. Alienware 17 R5
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Alienware 17 R5 is designed to delve into virtual reality experiences, though considering how powerful it is – with an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 chip, Nvidia GTX 1070 and up to 32GB of memory, it can handle whatever demanding game you throw at it. Couple those internals with a decent battery life and a stunner of a display, and this is without a doubt one of the best VR laptops money can buy.
Read the full review: Alienware 17 R5
6. Asus ROG G703GI
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The VR-ready Asus ROG G703GI is easily one of the most powerful gaming laptops we’ve ever tested, so it makes sense for it to make our best VR laptops list as well. Playing your favorite processor-hungry, graphics-intensive games on it at the highest settings – VR or not, and you’ll feel like a pro. Just be ready to shell out a bit of cash and have that charger handy at all times, as it is expensive and not very energy-efficient.
To save money on Asus products, check out our Asus voucher codes.
Read the full review: Asus ROG G703GI
7. Origin EON17-SLX
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Origin EON17-SLX has room to breath when it comes to powering a VR headset. Inside the EON17-SLX is a desktop-grade GeForce GTX 1070 chip with 8GB of VRAM and one of Intel's new Skylake processors, the i5-6700K, running at 4GHz, to start. The laptop made mincemeat of our benchmarking tests, running GTA 5 on Ultra at a respectable 41 fps at 1080p. However, all that power comes with great responsibility, and in this case, you'll be responsible for not using it more than 2 hours without plugging it in. The virtual reality dream can be experienced away from home, just not for very long.
Read the full review: Origin EON17-SLX
8. MSI GT73VR Titan Pro
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Also available with a 4K display, the portable powerhouse that is MSI GT3VR Titan Pro is indeed worthy of its moniker, a place in our best VR laptops list and as a gaming desktop replacement. There are many things to love on here: the gorgeous 120Hz screen, the premium programmable keyboard and the immersive attempts they made on those speakers. Plus, even if you’re not a fan of that gaming look, you’ll find its design quite appealing. All those add up to the perfect candidate for the best VR laptop, if you’re willing to splurge.
Read the full review: MSI GT73VR Titan Pro
9. Aorus X9
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Aorus X9 has a few accolades under its belt. At the time of its release, it was the world's thinnest Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 laptop and the world's thinnest chassis with true laptop mechanical switches, not to mention the world’s first 17.3” laptop boasting quad fans. Accolades aside, it also offers uncompromising power in an ultra-thin body, allowing you to play any hardcore gaming without blinking. This is definitely one of the best VR laptops on the market today.
Read the full review: Aorus X9
- It's VR Week on techradar – read all the great content here
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.