VR requires plenty of computing power, so it can be tough to find good VR ready laptops at an inexpensive price. Like other technology that was once pretty pricey, VR capable laptops are becoming more common and many companies are offering cheaper prices.
Here are five of the cheapest VR Ready laptops, each with a short review and a few pros and cons to consider as you make your choice.
1. Alienware 13
While it’s true that the Alienware 13 isn’t the cheapest VR ready laptop on the market, it’s less costly than many competitors, and it offers plenty of excellent features in a compact, go-anywhere package.
With an Intel Dual Core i7-6500U 2.5 GHz processor and 16 GB DDR3L SDRAM, it offers a 13-inch WQXGA LED-lit Trulife touchscreen.
Klipsch certified speakers and Sound Blaster software combine to deliver an exceptional audio experience, particularly in such a small laptop.
Pros
- Longer battery life than a larger VR ready laptop
- Thinner and lighter than most competitors, easy to enjoy gaming on the go
Cons
- Not ideal for hardcore gaming
- Speakers aren’t as nice as those on Alienware 17, but perform very well at 75% capacity and lower
2. MSI GT72VR Dominator Pro
The MSI GT72VR is a newly upgraded version of the Dominator Pro. It’s a big, powerful machine for the price, built with the needs of gamers in mind.
This VR ready laptop features a full-color backlight RGB keyboard, Nahimic 2 virtual surround sound, and an NVIDIA GTX 1070 8G GDDR5 graphics card.
An anti-glare, wide-angle 17.3” display makes non-VR gaming an absolute pleasure. A 120Hz panel with a 5ms response time delivers a premium viewing experience.
Pros
- Equipped with cooler boost 4 enhanced cooling, specifically designed for VR gaming
- Features Killer Doubleshot Pro to prevent game lag
- Ultra-fast refresh rate, no jitters / screen tearing
Cons
- Known issues with fan failure requiring repair
- Battery life isn’t the best
3. Razer Blade Stealth
Like many other inexpensive VR ready laptops, the Razer Blade Stealth costs more than a similarly sized laptop not designed for gaming.
With an i7-7700HQ processor, a 1TB hard drive, and a GeForce GTX 1060 card, it features a 14-inch matte screen. Paired with plenty of power, its thin, compact body manages to pack in a customizable Razer Chroma gaming keyboard for enhanced enjoyment.
Pros
- Runs most games at full settings
- Can be upgraded for enhanced performance
- Amazing screen with excellent colors
Cons
- Not a good choice for users who want to pair business use with gaming
- Known issue with power adapter failure
4. Asus ROG G752VS OC Edition
With a factory overclocked CPU and next-generation graphics, the Asus ROG G752VS-XB72K features a 17.3-inch display with a 178-degree viewing angle.
Cooled via dual copper heat pipes and an ROG 3D vapor chamber, it endures less heat buildup, resulting in greater longevity over time.
Pros
- Plenty of power
- Display and keyboard are designed with the needs of gamers in mind
- Excellent when paired with HTC Vive
Cons
- Light leakage is a known issue, manufacturer mentions it in owners manual
- Heavy for a laptop
- Graphics performance suffers when laptop is on battery power
5. Acer Predator Helios 500
While the Acer Predator Helios 500 is a bit pricier than its smaller cousin, this gaming laptop offers loads of upgrades that are hard to find in machines at this cost.
With overclockable graphics, an 8th generation Intel core, and a 1 TB 5400RPM HDD, it offers a number of appealing features including a four-zoned backlit keyboard, Killer DoubleShot Pro Wireless, and a Thunderbolt 3 port.
Pros
- Excellent cooling via 5 copper heat pipes, 4 exhausts and 2 intakes
- Outstanding refresh rate, 144Hz in Full HD
- High-quality sound system
Cons
- Pricier than competitors
- Newer computer, fewer reviews to reveal potential problems
While many cheap VR ready laptops tend to come with known quality control issues and mixed reviews are prevalent with some models, these are balanced out by plenty of satisfied users.
Our advice is to compare different options, consider which features are most important to you, and pick an inexpensive VR ready laptop that suits your budget. It’s true that these gaming machines aren’t likely to last for years on end – but they deliver plenty of enjoyment while they last.
