Nothing beats the thrill and joy of playing VR games on a powerful gaming laptop.
However, a “VR-ready” laptop should offer two most important features – powerful gaming hardware and plenty of ports. As such, while purchasing, it is essential to look for the system requirements of the virtual reality gaming machine along with the VR games you’re interested in. Not to forget, the laptop should allow upgrades so that it’s truly “future-proof!”
That said, many gaming enthusiasts wonder if Alienware laptops can run VR as well as they perform with traditional games. Hence, today, we’ll put the cult-favorite gaming laptop brand to the test and find out if it can handle some of the latest VR games.
Can Alienware Handle Virtual Reality Games?
Established in 1996 and later acquired by Dell, Alienware is known for its range of powerful gaming laptops. So, it is no surprise that they also manufacture laptops/computers that support virtual reality games and hardware that transforms regular laptops/computers into VR-ready devices.
Additionally, Alienware gaming laptops/computers boast impressive specifications like integrated graphics, powerful GPUs, etc. That said, a GPU is essential to play games in the virtual world unless you want to sabotage your hardware!
Interestingly, each gaming laptop from Alienware offers unique specs and features, so you must check them out and choose one that suits the games you’re interested in.
Specifications Required For Virtual Reality
If you choose the wrong laptop/computer, your game will lag, and the device may heat up. As such, you must check the specifications of the laptop, the VR headset, and any other device you may require to play games.
Hence, we have combined the specifications and required hardware for three of the most popular VR headsets. Let’s take a look…
1. HTC Vive Cosmos VR Headset
- OS: Windows 10
- USB Ports: 1 USB 3.0 port
- CPU: Intel Core i5-4590/AMD FX 8350 equivalent or better
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1070 / AMD Radeon Vega 56 or better
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.2
- Memory: 8GB RAM
2. Valve Index VR Headset
- OS: Windows 10, SteamOS, Linux
- USB Ports: 1 USB 2.0 port (USB 3.0 required for camera passthrough), 1 DisplayPort v1.2
- CPU: Quad Core+
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1070 or AMD equivalent or better
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.2
- Memory: 8GB RAM
3. Oculus Rift S VR Headset
- OS: Windows 10
- USB Ports: 1 USB 3.0 port
- CPU: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or better
- GPU: AMD Radeon RX 480/ NVIDIA GTX 1060 or better
- Video Output: DisplayPort
- Memory: 8GB RAM or better
Best Alienware Laptop For VR Gaming
Currently, the best laptop for VR from the brand is Alienware m15 R7, which packs a punch with the NVIDIA RTX 30-series GPUs. Of course, it is expensive, but the 4K OLED display, generous port selection, and impressive gaming experience make it worth the buck!
Specs And Features
- Up to 64GB of DDR5-4800MHz RAM
- NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU
- Dual 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs
- 12th Gen Intel Core mobile CPUs
- AMD Ryzen 6000 CPUs
- Customizable keyboard (per key) and chassis lighting
- Varied port selection
- DisplayPort adapter
- 15.6-inch non-touch G-Sync display
- Multiple display options
Amidst the impressive features, Alienware m15 R4 loses a few points due to its insufficient battery life and relatively small trackpad. It is also quite heavy (weighs 5.34 pounds), which may be a dealbreaker for some gamers.
Best Alienware Desktop For VR Gaming
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, we recommend Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 for its solid hardware and huge monitor. Bumping up the configuration will definitely increase the price of the gaming desktop, but considering its specs and features, we think it’s a great deal!
Specs And Features
- Toolless design with neat cable management
- Up to 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD
- Up to AMD Ryzen™ 9 5900
- Programmable lighting
- Ready for high-refresh 1440p and 60fps 40K gaming
- Up to 128GB Single Channel DDR4 XMP at 3200MHz
- Features the right ports
- Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 10 GB GDDR6X
- Easy to upgrade graphics
If we had to nitpick, we’d say that the desktop tends to heat up quickly, and the cooling fans are rather noisy. The latter can be solved with some good-quality headphones, though!
Can Alienware Graphics Amp Make A Last-Gen Laptop VR-Ready?
Of course, not everyone has the budget to invest in a brand new laptop/desktop to run VR games. So, if you own a current-gen Alienware 13, 15, or 17 laptop, we recommend getting the Alienware graphics amp.
At just one-tenth of the price of a VR gaming laptop/desktop, you can purchase an external Alienware graphics amplifier to handle even the most powerful desktop card. Doing so will transform your last-generation Alienware laptop into a powerful, VR-ready machine!
However, you will have to ensure that the laptop is compatible with the peripheral. Currently, every Alienware laptop features the proprietary port for the Alienware graphics amp. As such, you’ll be able to enjoy smooth gameplay and stunning visuals.
Connecting The Alienware Graphics Amplifier
Here’s how you can transform an Alienware laptop into a VR gaming machine. We’ll be explaining the method on Alienware 17 R3 (2016), with the Alienware Graphics Amplifier outfitted with the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 GPU.
Step 1
Open the amp and slide the sliding switch towards the left. Eject the clasp and pull open the lid to check the interior of the amp.
Step 2
Unscrew the first two screws at the top and install the GPU in the slot.
Step 3
Unpack the graphics card and insert it into the awaiting PCIe slot.
Step 4
Once the screws are replaced, simply plug in the connector and shut the lid.
Step 5
Now plug in the power cord of the graphics amp and connect it to the laptop. The port will be situated at the back of the device.
Step 6
Turn on the laptop. You’ll see a window prompting you to restart the device. Once the laptop is restarted, you are ready to step into the virtual world!
Step 7
Last but not least, plug in your VR headset, follow the installation steps on the laptop, and get ready for some intense gaming sessions.
Conclusion
Overall, you must prioritize the features you want in a laptop for VR gaming. On top of that, you must check the hardware requirements of the VR setup too. And if you want to use the same laptop for work, video editing, etc., look for a device that caters to all your needs.
If you already own an Alienware laptop, we hope our method of making it VR-ready will help you enjoy the latest games with impeccable speed and graphics!
