Bringing virtual reality to the imac
>>> With the latest generation of 5K imac and performance improvements in mac OS High Sierra, virtual reality has finally come to Apple’s computers. The problem in the past was a combination of poor 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 reviewed here, despite costing $1,799, isn’t VR-capable. According to graphics chip manufacturer AMD, virtual reality on the Mac is only officially supported on the top-of-the-range $2,299 model that comes with an 8GB Radeon Pro 580 chip. (The imac Pro will also be VR 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 creation tools and games.
The VR headset Apple supports is the HTC Vive, which features strong support from the world’s biggest game platform, Steam. Vive comprises not just the headset, but also a series of sensors that are placed around your room, and two motion-sensitive controllers. The headset currently connects to the computer with a cable, but wireless adapters 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 toward a wall, you get a gentle warning of that within your VR environment.
Apple has shown off not just VR games, but VR content creation too – in many 3D creative tasks, the freedom of vision and manipulation that VR gives you can be a huge advantage. That also means it’s not too limiting that only the more expensive imacs get it for now – especially since the Vive bundle itself costs $800.