While virtual reality (VR) head-mounted displays (HMDs) are no doubt expensive, the ‘all-in’ cost of both a VR device and a PC capable of running it is set to be much, much higher. Oculus VR knows this, and is offering a range of ‘Oculus Ready’ PCs, which include both its Oculus Rift and a rig capable of running it, with some discounts added on. The bundles start at $1,499 USD and are running for a limited time only. But what about the kit’s main rival, the HTC Vive? Can we expect to see PC ready bundles for that kit too? According to HTC itself, that’s the plan.
Dan O’Brien, Vice President of Planning and Product Management for HTC Vive recently confirmed as much to Fortune. “We’ll have PC bundles with Vive-optimized PCs on our website soon and we’ll tell people they’ll have a great experience,” he said. “But I don’t think PC bundles will be a major driver of sales.” O’Brien also explained that confusion over HTC Vive selling out when its pre-orders launched late last month was brought about by a glitch in its system once it has sold through the stock it would ship in April 2016.
So far HTC has partnered with HP, Alienware and MSI to offer its VR certified rigs. Of these, it appears the cheapest machine starts at around $1,699. Combined with the HTC Vive’s $799 tag, then, that makes the all-in cost of the device around a massive $2,500. How much can customers expect to have shaved off with these eventual bundles and will it be enough to convince them to pick the HTC Vive over the $599 Oculus Rift if they haven’t done so already? While pre-order figures for the latter kit haven’t been revealed, HTC has confirmed that 15,000 HTC Vives were ordered in the first 10 minutes of its campaign going live.
Stay tuned to VRFocus for more on the HTC Vive.
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