The first Windows 10 VR headsets go on sale, with a catch

Virtual reality headsets at different price points are starting to hit the market, and today two more joined the fray... with one important catch.

The HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset Developer Edition and Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset Developer Edition are on sale on Microsoft's website, though as the names suggest, you must be a developer to buy one.

At $329 (about £250 / AU$415) and $299 (£230 / AU$375), respectively, you might be tempted to nab one of these over, say, the more expensive Oculus Rift or HTC Vive (though the former is currently on sale for $399 / £399.99). Sadly, unless you're an app or game maker, you can't.

But! There's hope yet. The headsets will eventually be sold to regular shoppers, and when they do there should be a decent amount of content to digest thanks to developers getting their hands on the headsets early. 

As of the time of writing, the HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset Developer Edition is sold out.

HP's Windows 10 VR headset

HP's Windows 10 VR headset

Both the HP and Acer Windows 10 VR headsets feature two 1440 x 1440 displays, 95 degrees horizontal field of view, 90 Hz refresh rate, built-in audio and mic support, a single HDMI 2.0 and USB 3.0 cable to hook up to a Windows 10 PC, and inside-out tracking. 

This last feature is basically a self-contained tracking system on the headset that allows you to have less powerful PC specs and doesn't require you buy external sensors to place around a room.

Microsoft's aim is to bring Windows 10 mixed reality to the market with different partners, including HP, Acer, Lenovo and other companies that don't have a headset of their own. 

Whereas HoloLens, the company's $3,000 (£2,719 / AU$4,369) augmented reality visor, is intended for spaces like business, enterprise and education, these headsets are generally cheaper and more likely to appeal to the average consumer.

Just when everyone can buy a Windows 10 VR headset is still unknown, but we bet it'll be a few more months before you'll get the chance.

TOPICS
Michelle Fitzsimmons

Michelle was previously a news editor at TechRadar, leading consumer tech news and reviews. Michelle is now a Content Strategist at Facebook.  A versatile, highly effective content writer and skilled editor with a keen eye for detail, Michelle is a collaborative problem solver and covered everything from smartwatches and microprocessors to VR and self-driving cars.

Latest in Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality
Project Moohan prototype at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked, an XR goggles headset on display in a show area
Samsung's Android XR headset could avoid the Apple Vision Pro's biggest mistake, according to this leak
Vision Pro Metallica
Apple Vision Pro goes off to never never land with Metallica concert footage
The Ray-Ban Meta Coperni smart glasses
The new Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses design is an expensive disappointment
The Meta Quest Pro on its charging pad on a desk, in front of a window with the curtain closed
Samsung, Apple and Meta want to use OLED in their next VR headsets – but only Meta has a plan to make it cheap
The new limited edition Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses show a translucent design.
Ray-Ban and Meta just teased new limited-edition smart glasses – but they'll be in frustratingly short supply
The Meta Aria Gen 2 with its sensors exploding out from the frame
Meta's new smart glasses come with some much-needed upgrades to their battery and sensors
Latest in News
Image showing detail of the Leica D-Lux 8
Still can't get a Fujifilm X100VI? This premium Leica compact costs less, and it's in stock
Man using iMessage on an iPhone
Apple will finally enable encrypted RCS messages between iOS and Android, and it's about time
Jason Sudeikis' Ted Lasso pointing at someone in Ted Lasso season 2
Believe it, baby: Ted Lasso season 4 is officially in development for Apple TV+ and Jason Sudeikis will reprise his role as the titular soccer coach
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #1146)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #377)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #643)