VR headsets are demanding pieces of computer hardware. They require a lot of computing power and energy to run. Traditionally some of the most powerful desktop setups have supported them but to fully unlock their potential (i.e. immersion) they require a mobile solution. This is where VR backpacks come to play. The small-sized, lightweight backpacks with powerful hardware, able to handle whatever the VR gear throws at it.
Here are some great choices to pick up from, for your VR journey.
1. HP Omen X VR
One of the top specs model released by HP in recent times which geared towards great VR experience. The HP Omen X is ideal for gamers. The backpack has a battery backup of 1.5 hours. Packed with an Intel Core i7-6700HQ with clock speeds between 2.6 to 3.5 GHz and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060. It comes with 32 gigabytes of RAM and 256 GB Solid-state drives as a boot drive. Weighing around 5 kg, this well balanced VR backpack is a great gaming rig with good heat management which dissipates the heat away with an air-cooled system. The backpack works flawlessly with HTC Vive Pro.
HP Omen X also doubles as a regular PC with its docking station. You can plug regular monitors and use it as a desktop pc or snap the VR headset and set off for an epic VR adventure.
2. MSI VR One
The second attempt of MSI to create a VR backpack, the VR One by MSI is a step up in its VR lineup. Trimming the weight from 5 kg to just over 3.6 kg, it’s a step in the right direction.
Boasting an Intel Core i7 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070, this ergonomic VR backpack gives a decent battery life of 1.5 hours. The MSI VR One is compatible with all major available VR headsets available in the market.
The futuristic-looking design is not just for show but actually serves a purpose. It helps the backpack to cool down faster so the user doesn’t feel any lag in performance or heat from the backpack.
One of the most appreciable facts of the VR backpack is that the graphics card is up-gradable which allows for future upgrades. MSI VR One is virtually flawless except the battery life and need for an external monitor.
3. Zotac VR Go
Zotac, a brand synonymous with small and beautiful mini-PCs and graphics cards, released its own VR backpack, the VR Go. It’s a comfortable and well-balanced backpack. The backpack has an Intel Core i7 6700T clocked at 2.8GHz and 16 gigs of RAM. Packing in an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB graphics card, it can handle heavy and graphics intensive applications thrown at it.
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VR Go’s internals allows you to experience a nauseating 90 fps VR gameplay which is a league ahead of most VR backpacks available in the market. The VR Go has a 13200 mAh lithium-ion battery which gives it around one and a half hours of battery life.
The Plastic body clad VR Go is relatively light, only weighing about 4.2 kg. But we are concerned about the meager 250 GB of storage space which hardly fits in more than a couple of games.
4. HP Z VR
Another VR backpack from HP which is aimed at the enterprise market. HP released HP Z VR backpack lineup focused not on gamers but only professionals. Unlike their Omen VR backpack Series, these are much bulkier and rich in enterprise-level feature. The Z VR backpack demonstrates the HP’s impeccable enterprise expertise.
While lying down on the desk, it is a fully functional, powerful desktop PC. Plug in an HTC Vive or an Oculus VR it becomes a portable and extensive VR experience. While the Intel Core i7 7820HQ with NVIDIA Quadro P5200 and 32 gigs of RAM would be a V gamer’s dream setup, this VR backpack is geared for professionals. Some of the potential users of this backpack are designers, engineers or some organization training their employees.
Applications range from complex engineering to virtual heart surgery training. This Premium product is rugged and robust allowing for client’s visit from the comfort of an agent’s office. Since HP wants to capture the professional market their Z VR backpacks, a 1.5 hours battery life doesn’t seem optimal. It’s rather ludicrous in modern corporate settings. That’s why the Z series has hot-swappable batteries which can be changed under rigorous use.
5. XMG Walker
The pioneer is completely cordless VR experience, the XMG Walker is the brainchild of German tech company Schenker. Walker has a powerful Intel Core i7 6700HQ clocked at 2.6GHz and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 fully VR ready. This beast boasts 16 GB of RAM and 250 GB of SSD storage and unlike other VR backpacks in the list, upgrading the memory or storage is like a walk in the park.
The lightweight design has two hot-swappable lithium-ion battery; when fully charged, they hold 100Wh of energy which lasts up to 90 minutes. The whole setup weighs around 3.8 kg, which is significantly lower than other VR backpacks in the market. XMG Walker despite its powerful setup is cool under heavy loads and the small amount heat produced doesn’t reach the user’s back due to the padding provided. XMG walker already beats many heavyweights like HP, MSI, and Zotac in terms of weight, internals and availability.
It also works perfectly fine with HTC Vive and they plan to expand to other VR headsets. The only downside of XMG Walker is that the battery drains quickly with average battery backup of 45 to 60 minutes. For heavy users, the hot-swappable batteries charge in 90 minutes so they can keep the VR journey going on without any hiccups.
With these entries, VR backpacks are an emerging segment in the tech market. Each device, listed above, has its own quirks and gimmicks and directed towards different consumers. Some are professional instruments of work while some are the ultimate entertainment gadgets.
If you plan to buy one of these VR backpacks, choose the one that best suits your application and is practical for you.