Bringing virtual reality to the iMac
With the latest generation of 5K iMac and performance improvements in macOS High Sierra, virtual reality has finally come to Apple’s computers. The problem in the past was a combination of weak graphics chips and limited software support for fast graphics, but that’s no longer the case. At least, it’s not the case for every iMac.
The iMac we’re reviewing here, despite costing nearly £1,800, isn’t VR capable. According to graphics card company AM D, virtual reality on the Mac is only officially supported on the top-of-the-range £2,249 model that comes with the Radeon Pro 580 8GB graphics chip. (The iMac Pro will also beVR capable when it arrives, of course.)
Still, as time goes on, that level of power will reach the less expensive models in the range, so more people will be able to access VR games and tools.
The headset Apple is supporting for VR use is the HTC Vive, which features strong support from the world’s biggest game platform, Steam. Vive’s total setup comes with not just the headset, but also a series of sensors that should be placed around your room, and two motion- sensitive controllers. The headset currently connects to the computer with a cable, but wireless adaptors are coming soon, too. The sensors work partly to help you stay safe when you’re immersed in the headset – the idea is that you have a space set up for VR use, and if you stray out of it or towards a wall, you get a gentle warning within your VR experience.
Apple has shown off not just VR games, but VR content creation too – in many 3D creative tasks, the freedom vision and manipulation VR gives you can be a huge advantage. Which also means it’s not too limiting that only the more expensive iMacs get it for now… especially since the Vive bundle itself costs £759.