MSI is pushing to carve out a new niche within the premium gaming laptops and desktops market it has so successfully mined over recent years. In 2016 tech industry hotspots and buzzwords definitely include virtual reality (VR) and MSI thinks this is an area where its powerful gaming laptop / desktop expertise can benefit customers. So today MSI emailed HEXUS explaining how it can claim several important firsts for the PC industry with regard to progressing VR.
In terms of hardware partners MSI does indeed have some splendid feathers in its cap. MSI hardware has gained 'Certified VR Ready Notebook' status from both Intel and HTC Vive. Furthermore, it claims to be the first systems maker to have achieved this. Intel certifies a system for both its processor and graphics capabilities and adds Intel VR technology to optimise the experience further, we are told. HTC Vive is probably the most demanding and immersive PC HMD available right now and MSI's gaming laptops are the first and only to be thus certified, says MSI.
MSI hasn't neglected software support for VR and claims a number of first in this area too. The MSI VR Lab was set up in early 2015 to build and optimise devices, software and testing methodologies. Another progressive initiative from MSI is its VR development and cooperation platform. You can check out the VR Lab and sign up to the MSI VR cooperation program via MSI's dedicated microsite.
In addition to the above many of MSI's components and PCs have earned GeForce GTX VR Ready stickers; you can find these graphics cards, laptops, and desktops listed here.
Overall it's canny of MSI to hook up with PC industry majors such as Intel, Nvidia and HTC Vive to certify its products for VR but already there seems to be a glut of such programs. Pity the non-tech-savvy trying to make sense of all these certifications and logos…
