Mixed Reality headsets
There are four Windows Mixed Reality headsets available in the UK. Tim Danton puts them all through their virtual paces
Acer Windows Mixed Reality Headset SCORE PRICE £333 (£400 inc VAT) from microsoft.com
This is the cheapest-looking WMR headset, with a striking blue design that’s positively in-your-face compared to the futuristic HP. It’s quite light, feeling identical to the Lenovo Explorer when worn. Indeed, the only way I could tell the difference with my eyes closed was by feeling the texture of the cushioning fabric on the headband.
It seems highly likely that both headsets are made in the same factory, with the same design of foam around the side of the goggles. Don’t worry about this coming off, though, because it’s designed to strip away and perhaps even be replaced in the future: it unpeels like Velcro, so that’s easy enough to do.
With all these WMR headsets sharing nigh-on identical internal components, the Acer is a fine choice so long as you’re happy with the colour. Especially as it’s the only headset that bundles any games: two VR twists on Ghostbusters. HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset SCORE PRICE £317 (£380 inc VAT) from microsoft.com
The HP is a masculine headset, complete with a non-removable engraving on the side that says 14402 SPATIAL COMPUTING. It’s heavier than the others but feels well-made, and according to a sticker on the inside of the headband includes a two-year warranty – all the rest only have one. If you were to run a VR stand at an expo, you’d feel more confident with the HP than the other three.
Despite its weight, it’s comfortable to wear for prolonged periods. I’m not a fan of its flip-up mechanism – I ended up taking the headset off if I needed to check what was happening around me – but one nice design touch is that the cable detaches from the headset, whereas all the others are fixed. That makes for tidier storage: you can loop the cable out of the way, or file the headset neatly in a drawer.
It’s close, but the HP is my pick of the WMR headsets. Dell Visor Windows Mixed Reality Headset SCORE PRICE £358 (£430 inc VAT) from microsoft.com
The Dell Visor feels like a step up compared to the Acer and Lenovo headsets, with a durable feel to the white plastic and solid hinges. The drawback is that it’s heavier than both those rivals, which you start to notice after half an hour of wear.
Everything about the Visor feels top-quality, though, and that even stretches to relatively minor aspects of its design, such as the adjustable dial and the faux leather protectors for the front and back of your head. Just like the HP, this WMR headset feels like it could last a few demo days on a stand.
The problem for Dell is precisely the same as faced by the Lenovo: there’s little reason to buy this headset over its key rival (in this case the equally rugged HP) unless you can find it on offer – or if you particularly like its all-white design.
That said, do hunt around for prices. While the Visor has a “list price” of £430, it’s often discounted on Amazon and Microsoft Store. Lenovo Explorer Windows Mixed Reality Headset SCORE PRICE £333 (£400 inc VAT) from microsoft.com
If you like the sound of the Acer but aren’t fond of its glossy blue finish, then I have excellent news: the Lenovo Explorer is essentially the same headset but with different livery. That means it shares all the same positives and all the same negatives: it’s light and comfortable to wear, but doesn’t have the ruggedity of the HP or Dell.
While the matte black finish means that it’s arguably more stylish than the Acer, Lenovo undermines some of the Explorer’s visual appeal by placing its logo bang in the middle of the visor. It should have taken its cues from Dell and HP, both of which place their logos modestly on the side.
The Lenovo Explorer isn’t a bad Windows Mixed Reality headset at all, but with no software bundle (unlike the Acer) or compelling design advantage, it needs to be discounted to a lower price than rivals to provide people with a good reason to buy it.