Best VR Laptop in 2024 – the top Virtual Reality-ready laptops
If you’re looking for the best VR laptop, then we have you covered right here.
VR laptops are great for those who do not have the space or budget for a full-fledged PC. Further, laptops lend portability to your VR experience, which is something that cannot be achieved with a PC setup.
When we say ‘VR-ready laptops,’ we are talking about a laptop that comes equipped with a powerful graphics card and an equally capable CPU. So, we’re looking at laptops that are embedded with GPUs like NVIDIA RTX 3000 series or 4000 series paired with 12th-gen or 13th-gen Intel processors.
If you want a maxed-out machine for future-proofing your setup for VR games, then you can consider looking at some of the best RTX 4090 laptops and the best Intel 13th-gen laptops, which can handle VR experiences and deliver a smooth performance.
But this doesn’t mean you have to go all-out and splurge. With more and more brands introducing VR laptops, you should be able to find one without going over your budget.
With that being said, there are quite a few options on the market that will check all the boxes for you. To make your hunt easier, we have done the research and picked out what we think are the best VR laptops.
Products at a Glance
How We Picked
For this guide, we have researched and looked at several laptops, compared them, and then picked the ones that we thought were the best. The laptops have been selected based on specs like CPU, GPU, display, ports, and other important aspects. Further, we are regularly adding new products to our guides and keep them as updated as possible – so check back again for latest updates.
Product Reviews
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU
- 13th-gen Intel Core i9 processor
- 17.3-inch 4K display
- Expensive
If you’re looking for the best VR laptop for general use, then you should check out the MSI Titan GT77, which we think should be one of the best MSI laptops.
The laptop comes packed with the latest GPU and CPU, that is, the 13th-gen Intel Core i9 processor paired with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU – so you can expect the laptop to run demanding tasks, like VR games, without breaking a sweat.
If you decide to max out, then you can get 128GB RAM along with 4TB SSD, which should be more than enough for most gamers out there. However, depending on your budget and requirements, you can lower this configuration.
To maintain optimal performance, the laptop features Cooler Booster Titan, which has four fans, eight pipes, and six exhausts – so you can expect the device to be cool even under pressure.
On the outside, the laptop sports a 17.3-inch 4K display, which should deliver stunning and detailed graphics. Further, you get a 144Hz refresh rate, which should be enough to run most games without any screen-tearing.
Connectivity won’t be a problem, as this laptop has desktop-level I/O with plenty of ports. You get USB 3.2 Gen 2, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and more.
- 5th Gen AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU
- 240Hz refresh rate
- Heavy
If you are looking for a 17-inch VR laptop, then you should check out the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17, which we think deserves to be one of the best Asus laptops.
The laptop comes equipped with a 5th Gen AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX that can clock up to 5.4GHz, which should handle demanding tasks with ease.
Plus, this processor is paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU, which is the latest GPU that features advanced ray-tracing capabilities. Considering the CPU and GPU combo, you can expect the laptop to run demanding VR games without breaking a sweat.
The laptop comes with 64GB RAM along with 2TB SSD, which should be sufficient for most gamers and should speed up loading times and boot-ups. However, you can choose to upgrade it up to 64GB RAM and 8TB SSD at an additional cost.
On the outside, the laptop sports a 17.3-inch display, which should be great if you’re looking for a gaming laptop that is also VR-ready. You get a 2K resolution (a.k.a. 1440p), so you can expect high picture quality. Further, you get a 240Hz refresh rate, which should give you a tear-free experience.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU
- 13th Intel Core i9-13900HX processor
- 2560 x 1600p resolution
- Mediocre battery life
If budget is a constraint, then we recommend checking out the Lenovo Legion Pro 5, which is a solid option.
The laptop comes packed with the 13th Intel Core i9-13900HX processor along with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, which is a combination of the latest hardware – so you can expect the laptop to run through even the most demanding tasks smoothly.
Further, the model that we have selected for this list comes with 64GB RAM and 2TB SSD, which should ensure faster performance and sufficient storage. You can also choose to upgrade this combination up to 64GB RAM and 4TB SSD as per your requirement.
As far as the display is concerned, you get a 16-inch display, which, for many, is a sweet spot between the larger 17-inch laptops and smaller 15-inch laptops. And much like some of the best 16-inch laptops, this one features a 2560 x 1600p resolution, which should deliver high picture quality.
Coming to the connectivity options, you get USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI v2.1, and other ports – so you don’t have to worry about connecting your peripherals.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H
- Budget-friendly
- Mediocre battery life
If you want a VR laptop within a limited budget, then we think that the MSI Katana GF66 is a solid choice. In fact, we think it should be one of the best gaming laptops under $1500.
To start with, the laptop features the 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H, which promises to deliver more than sufficient power for gaming, content creation, and multitasking.
Further, you get an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU that has real-time ray tracing, so you can expect high-quality graphics from your video games. Together, this CPU and GPU should deliver a smooth gaming experience.
Coming to the display, the laptop sports a 15.6-inch FHD display, which should be good enough for most people. Plus, you get a 144Hz refresh rate, so you should be able to play most games smoothly without stuttering.
As far as connectivity is concerned, you get multiple ports like USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1, USB 2.0, HDMI, and more.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor
- 240Hz refresh rate
- Mediocre battery life
If you’re looking for a VR laptop with an RTX 3000-series graphics card, then we’d say that the Razer Blade 15 is a solid option.
The laptop comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU that is said to be 70% faster than the RTX 2070 SUPER GPU – so you can expect better performance overall. The graphics card is paired with a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, which promises to breeze through demanding tasks like gaming and creation.
The model that we have selected for this guide has 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD, which should do the job for most people. However, depending on your needs, you can go for a different configuration.
To maintain optimal performance even under pressure, the laptop features Next-Gen Vapor Chamber Cooling, which has more fans and larger liquid capacity compared to the previous-gen system.
Much like some of the best Razer laptops, the 15.6-inch display on this has a QHD resolution, so you can expect high-picture quality. Plus, you get a 240Hz refresh rate, which is more than sufficient to run AAA games. And with NVIDIA G-Sync, you can expect the
For connectivity, the laptop offers an HDMI 2.1 port, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port, and others, so plugging in your peripherals should not be a problem.
Things To Consider
Here are some things you can consider before shopping for a VR laptop.
Don’t Skimp On The GPU
Much like traditional gaming, VR is heavily dependent on the GPU, and arguably more so given that higher refresh rates are required; most of us would be content with 60 FPS in the most demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, but in VR games, 60 FPS falls on the lower end of what is considered satisfactory.
So, what GPU do you need? The answer depends mainly on your budget. As a general rule, we recommend opting for the best GPU you can. Failing that, headset system requirements are a good indicator of the bare minimum to aim for. For instance, the Valve Index, Oculus Quest 2, and Vive Cosmos Elite headsets all recommend at the very least a GTX 970. While the GTX 970 will undoubtedly get VR games up and running, the experience will be sub-par; expect stuttering, low refresh rates, and motion sickness.
At a stretch, a GTX 1060 improves the experience somewhat. Still, we suggest dipping into the GTX 16-series or RTX range (including the Turing lineup, not just the latest Ampere) for anything resembling a respectable VR experience.
However, if you want to splurge and get a maxed-out laptop, then you should consider going for the ones with the latest graphics card like NVIDIA RTX 3000 or 4000 series. For instance, the best RTX 4090 laptops are more than capable of handling the most demanding games and software.
The Importance of Ports
Ports are an essential facet of any laptop; without sufficient ports, we’d have nowhere to connect our favorite gaming mice and headsets. This is doubly true for VR, where the entire experience is dependent on a headset that needs to pair with the laptop.
The specifics of how a headset plugs into a PC varies between models. Some use USB ports (such as the new Oculus Quest 2’s Oculus Link USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C cable), while others throw a DisplayPort into the mix (Valve Index and Vive Pro 2, for example). While an HDMI output is almost guaranteed, a DisplayPort isn’t a standard feature on most laptops, so it’s vital to make a point of checking whether a VR-ready laptop has all the ports you’ll need for VR with a few to spare for other peripherals.
Avoid VR Tunnel Vision
Chances are your VR laptop will also double as a traditional gaming laptop, so it’s worth assessing options not just based on their VR chops.
In particular, consider the overall build quality of the laptop and the display’s size, resolution, and refresh rate; for more permanent setups, a 17-inch beast works well, while a slimmer 15-inch offers a lighter form factor that’s easy to transport.
The quality and feel of the keyboard, trackpad and other onboard peripherals are also important. Battery life, too, especially if you anticipate lots of time away from a mains socket.
Equally important is storage space given the ever-ballooning size of games, VR or otherwise. A common solution is to pair a fast SSD with a slower, larger capacity traditional HDD.
Can laptops run VR well?
Virtual reality gaming is very taxing, most laptops do not have the processing power to handle it. Therefore, buying a purpose-built gaming laptop will ensure that you have a smooth experience.
Which Headset can I use?
If you’re looking for a casual experience or a serious virtual gaming experience your choice will vary. With offerings from Valve, HTC, Meta, and many more choosing the right VR headsets can be difficult but we’re here to help.
Our Verdict
If you want to invest in a VR laptop that can also be used for regular video games, then we’d suggest getting the MSI Titan GT77. The laptop comes packed with the latest hardware – the 13th-gen Intel Core i9 processor and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, which should run demanding games smoothly. Plus, it has a 17.3-inch 4K display, so you can expect the laptop to deliver stunning visuals. Further, the laptop has desktop-level I/O with plenty of ports, so you should not have problems with connectivity. Overall, we think this one of the best VR laptops that you can also use as a workstation.