Acer AH101

Overall, the AH101 is a solid choice for consumers who own lower-tier laptops and lack the space to accommodate either the Vive or the Rift or who just want a portable plug-and-play VR system. For everyone else, I'd say save your pennies and go for the higher-tier system.

With regards to Acer’s first tethered VR headset (the AH101), there’s notable pros and cons that may tilt the scale one way or the other depending upon which things you value the most. Setup is truly a breeze with native support under Windows 10 and no external sensors required for tracking. Microsoft’s inside-out head tracking is top-notch, and while the motion controllers are useable (clunky ergonomic design notwithstanding), they might not make the grade for hardcore gamers or content creators demanding the most robust hand input.

As good a first effort as the Acer Windows Mixed Reality headset is, I'm very hard-pressed to think of a good reason why you'd pick that instead of the Oculus Rift. If I had to come up with something, I'd say the WMR headsets work on lower-end PCs, they don't need external sensors, and they're easier to set up and use. Eventual Steam store support and more general-interest apps from Microsoft could eventually make a stronger case, but we're not there yet.

While this first readily-available headset that runs Windows Mixed Reality had us plenty excited, the Acer AH101-D8EY delivered an overall lackluster performance. This model just doesn't have the same level of interactivity or visual immersiveness as the top products — the HTC Vive and the Oculus Rift.

Until Microsoft strengthens its VR library or incorporates SteamVR software more seamlessly and reliably, the Oculus Rift is a better PC-based VR experience. We also like the Playstation VR for its compelling library and the simple fact that a PlayStation 4 is less expensive than a VR-capable PC. We'll be keeping our eyes on future Windows Mixed Reality headsets and how the ecosystem improves as a whole, but for now, it feels a few steps behind its competitors.